The effect of saffron supplementation on indices of oxidative stress, inflammation, mental health, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Saffron supplementation significantly reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) values compared to placebo in Parkinson's disease patients.

• Adjusted mean difference: -3.84 mg/L (95% CI: -5.61, -2.08; PANCOVA < 0.001)
• Trial involved 92 patients with Parkinson's disease receiving 100 mg/day saffron powder or placebo for 12 weeks
• Analyses conducted using an intention-to-treat approach
• Participants had mean age of 68.36 ± 1.0 years and mean BMI of 27.09 ± 0.45 kg/m²

Saffron supplementation significantly improved mental health indices including distress, anxiety, and depression compared to placebo.

• Distress: adjusted mean difference -4.40 (95% CI: -8.43, -0.37; PANCOVA = 0.03)
• Anxiety: adjusted mean difference -4.75 (95% CI: -8.30, -1.20; PANCOVA = 0.009)
• Depression: adjusted mean difference -4.58 (95% CI: -8.34, -0.81; PANCOVA = 0.01)
• All three mental health outcomes showed statistically significant improvements with saffron versus placebo

Saffron supplementation significantly improved cognitive status in Parkinson's disease patients compared to placebo.

• Adjusted mean difference: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.16, 1.40; PANCOVA = 0.01)
• Intervention was triple-blind, randomized, and parallel in design
• Duration of supplementation was 12 weeks

Saffron supplementation significantly improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue compared to placebo.

• Sleep quality: adjusted mean difference 14.76 (95% CI: 3.20, 26.32; PANCOVA = 0.01)
• Fatigue: adjusted mean difference -9.20 (95% CI: -13.76, -4.65; PANCOVA < 0.001)
• Both outcomes showed statistically significant improvements in the saffron group relative to placebo

Saffron supplementation significantly improved multiple quality of life indices including mobility, daily activity, cognitive impairment, bodily discomfort, and the Parkinson's Disease Summary Index (PDSI).

• Mobility: adjusted mean difference -6.43 (95% CI: -12.32, -0.54; PANCOVA = 0.03)
• Daily activity: adjusted mean difference -6.62 (95% CI: -12.89, -0.34; PANCOVA = 0.03)
• Cognitive impairment: adjusted mean difference -8.07 (95% CI: -14.39, -1.75; PANCOVA = 0.01)
• Bodily discomfort: adjusted mean difference -7.50 (95% CI: -13.93, -1.06; PANCOVA = 0.02)
• PDSI: adjusted mean difference -4.86 (95% CI: -7.48, -2.25; PANCOVA < 0.001)

Saffron supplementation showed a marginal, non-significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) values compared to placebo.

• Adjusted mean difference: -0.32 nmol/mL (95% CI: -0.69, 0.03; PANCOVA = 0.07)
• The reduction in MDA did not reach statistical significance, described as a 'marginal decrease'
• MDA is a marker of oxidative stress/lipid peroxidation

No side effects were observed in either the saffron or placebo groups during the 12-week trial.

• The trial was triple-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled with 92 Parkinson's disease patients
• Dose was 100 mg/day saffron powder for 12 weeks
• Safety was noted explicitly: 'No side effect was observed in the groups'