Saffron
Crocus sativus
“Safe Ron”
What it isCrocus sativus stigma extract, studied as an herbal antidepressant.
Why this oneSmall randomized trials — several against SSRIs — repeatedly suggest efficacy in mild-to-moderate depression, making it one of the better-studied herbal psychotropics.
What limits itTrials are small, mostly from one region, and extract standardization varies; high doses are toxic and it is avoided in pregnancy.
Available strengths
- cap 15, 30 mg (Affron®/Safr'Inside® standardized)
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Defining liabilityVariable preparations, limited safety data and possible mood activation
Serotonicity
This drug is routinely called serotonergic. By Gillman’s human-effect criteria it does not raise serotonin in the synapse.
It binds the serotonin transporter, and its SERT peg is drawn to that textbook affinity. The pale halo around the peg marks binding that, by Gillman’s human-effect criteria, does not produce clinical serotonin reuptake inhibition.
Gillman’s four human testsA measurable SERT affinity that fails all four is not clinical serotonicity.
- Retarded orgasm
- Efficacy in OCD and cataplexy
- Clonus and hyperreflexia in single-drug overdose
- Serotonin toxicity when combined with an MAOI
Evidence confidenceLow
Background: what serotonicity is · what is and is not an SRI · what counts as a relevant MAOI.