Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) supplements improve quality of life and appetite in atherosclerosis patients: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of the  ardiovascular disease. Saffron is a traditional food that affects many
diseases and disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the effects of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on quality of life (QOL) and appetite in patients with atherosclerosis.

Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, double?blind,  lacebo?controlled clinical trial. A total of 63 participants with  therosclerosis were recruited from Emam Sajjad Hospital, Valiasr ospital, and Zafaranieyh Clinic in Tehran, Iran. The participants were divided randomly into two groups. Participants received 100 mg/d saffron or  lacebo capsule for 6 weeks. QOL and appetite levels were measured by the McNew QOL questionnaire, and visual analog scale questionnaire, respectively. Furthermore, anthropometric indices of participants were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: Statistical analysis showed that there was a statistically  ignificant difference between atherosclerosis patients who received
placebo and those who consumed saffron in terms of the physical  omain (P = 0.008) and social domain (P = 0.012) of QOL. In the saffron group increased score in Total score Macnew (P < 0.001), physical  omain (P = 0.025), and social domain (P < 0.001) was significant after the intervention. Moreover, the consumption of saffron did not  ignificantly affect emotional domains of QOL, and appetite levels

Conclusion: Saffron may be considered as a novel agent in patients with atherosclerosis to improve the QOL. A great deal of further research will be needed to critically validate the efficacy of saffron and its  echanisms in atherosclerosis.