Commonly used medications for major depressive disorder are considered inappropriate for the milder forms, which are also the most common presentation. For this reason, a group of researchers from Tuscany sought to explore different approaches, delving in particular into the potential efficacy of saffron extracts in mild-to-moderate depression.
«Because dysfunctions of dopaminergic transmission are critically involved in anhedonia, and saffron appears to positively modulate dopamine release – the authors write – we studied the potential antidepressant and anti-anhedonic effects of a standardized saffron extract formulation in preclinical models of anhedonia-like behaviors and in patients diagnosed with unipolar or bipolar depression».
The researchers tested the activity of saffron in a rat model of stress-induced motivational anhedonia, using protocols of sucrose self-administration, and they explored the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect.
Parallel to this, with a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, they analyzed whether an eight-week adjunctive saffron extract therapy could reduce symptoms in 40 people with depression and anhedonia.
And indeed, repeated saffron administration restored motivation and responsiveness to reward-associated stimuli in the anhedonic rats, probably by modulating dopaminergic transmission. In depressed patients, eight weeks of adjunctive saffron therapy produced an overall improvement in depressive symptoms and a significant reduction in anhedonia. The study supports a pro-motivational effect of saffron and suggests a saffron-based augmentation strategy that could be potentially useful for patients with anhedonia, though with the limitations tied to the small sample size and the short duration of the trial.
Renato Torlaschi
Study conducted by researchers from the Universities of Siena, Florence and the Prato University Center. Corridori E, Salviati S, Demontis MG, Vignolini P, Vita C, Fagiolini A, Cuomo A, Carmellini P, Gambarana C, Scheggi S. Therapeutic Potential of Saffron Extract in Mild Depression: A Study of Its Role on Anhedonia in Rats and Humans. Phytother Res. 2025 Mar;39(3):1277-1291.
Abbonati a Karla Miller
