SynthesisBMC complementary medicine and therapies2020
Saffron for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.
Synthesis in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 29 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
29 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Natural Products in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Pooled it
- Effects of Saffron Supplementation on Glycolipid Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2025Pooled it
- Optimal dose and type of exercise to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of RCTs.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024Pooled it
- Effect ofNutrients · 2021Pooled it
- Efficacy of Spice Supplementation in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Literature Review.Nutrients · 2020Pooled it
- Translational potential of medicinal plants for Alzheimer's disease: integrated evidence from molecular mechanisms to preclinical and clinical findings.Natural products and bioprospecting · 2026Review
- Article
- Review
- Advances in Bioactive Compounds from Plants and Their Applications in Alzheimer's Disease.Biomolecules · 2025Review
- Polyphenols and Exercise in Mitochondrial Biogenesis: Focus on Age-Related CNS Disorders.Molecular neurobiology · 2025Review
- Crocin Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment and Pathological Changes in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice by Regulating Gut Microbiota.Food science & nutrition · 2025Article
- The silent saboteur: oxidative stress and the path to cognitive dysfunction.Neurodegenerative disease management · 2025Review
- First Insights Into the LC-HRMS Profiling and Biological Activities ofFood science & nutrition · 2025Article
- Review
- The Possible Role of Plant-Based Bars Consumption in CKD Geriatric Patients.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Article
- Saffron (Nutrients · 2024Review
- Saffron extract as an emerging novel therapeutic option in reproduction and sexual health: recent advances and future prospectives.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2024Review
- Review
- A review of SaiLuoTong (MLC-SLT) development in vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSaffron (stigma of Crocus sativus L.) from Iridaceae family is a well-known traditional herbal medicine that has been used for hundreds of years to treat several diseases such as depressive mood, cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Recently, anti-dementia property of saffron has been indicated. However, the effects of saffron for the management of dementia remain controversial. The aim of the present study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of saffron in treating mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
methodsAn electronic database search of some major English and Chinese databases was conducted until 31st May 2019 to identify relevant randomised clinical trials (RCT). The primary outcome was cognitive function and the secondary outcomes included daily living function, global clinical assessment, quality of life (QoL), psychiatric assessment and safety. Rev-Man 5.3 software was applied to perform the meta-analyses.
resultsA total of four RCTs were included in this review. The analysis revealed that saffron significantly improves cognitive function measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sums of Boxes (CDR-SB), compared to placebo groups. In addition, there was no significant difference between saffron and conventional medicine, as measured by cognitive scales such as ADAS-cog and CDR-SB. Saffron improved daily living function, but the changes were not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported in the included studies.
conclusionsSaffron may have the potential to improve cognitive function and activities of daily living in patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, due to limited high-quality studies there is insufficient evidence to make any recommendations for clinical use. Further clinical trials on larger sample sizes are warranted to shed more light on its efficacy and safety.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.