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Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial

  1. M Agha-Hosseini,
  2. L Kashani,
  3. A Aleyaseen,
  4. A Ghoreishi,
  5. H Rahmanpour,
  6. AR Zarrinara,
  7. S Akhondzadeh*

Article first published online: 6 FEB 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01652.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 115, Issue 4, pages 515–519, March 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Agha-Hosseini, M., Kashani, L., Aleyaseen, A., Ghoreishi, A., Rahmanpour, H., Zarrinara, A. and Akhondzadeh, S. (2008), Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 115: 515–519. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01652.x

Author Information

  1. a Infertility Center of Dr Shariati Hospital, Vali Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iranb Department of Reproductive Immunology, Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iranc Department of Psychiatry and d Department of Gynecology and Obstetric, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Irane Division of Statistics and Information, Vice Chancellor for Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iranf Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

*Prof S Akhondzadeh, Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, South Kargar Street, Tehran 13337, Iran. Email s.akhond@neda.net

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 FEB 2008
  2. Article first published online: 6 FEB 2008
  3. Accepted 5 December 2007.

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Keywords:

  • Crocus sativus;
  • premenstrual dysphoric disorder;
  • premenstrual syndromes;
  • saffron

Objective  The aim of this double-blind and placebo-controlled trial was to investigate whether saffron (stigma of Crocus sativus L.) could relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Design  Double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial.

Setting  Departments of Gynaecology/Obstetrics and Psychiatry, Tehran and Zanjan University of Medical Sciences.

Population  Women aged 20–45 years with regular menstrual cycles and experience of PMS symptoms for at least 6 months were eligible for the study.

Method  Women were randomly assigned to receive capsule saffron 30 mg/day (15 mg twice a day; morning and evening) (group A) or capsule placebo (twice a day) for a two menstrual cycles (cycles 3 and 4).

Main outcome measures  The primary outcome measure was the Daily Symptom Report, and secondary outcome measure was the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Results  In this trial, saffron was found to be effective in relieving symptoms of PMS. A significant difference was observed in efficacy of saffron in cycles 3 and 4 in the Total Premenstrual Daily Symptoms and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Conclusion  The results of this study indicate the efficacy of C. sativus L. in the treatment of PMS. However, a tolerable adverse effects profile of saffron may well confirm the application of saffron as an alternative treatment for PMS. These results deserved further investigations.

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