A 22-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of Crocus sativus in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

作者：Akhondzadeh Shahin^*; Sabet Mehdi Shafiee; Harirchian Mohammad Hossein; Togha Mansoreh; Cheraghmakani Hamed; Razeghi Soodeh; Hejazi Seyyed Shamssedin; Yousefi Mohammad Hossein; Alimardani Roozbeh; Jamshidi Amirhossein; Rezazadeh Shams Ali; Yousefi Aboulghasem; Zare Farhad; Moradi Atbin; Vossoughi Ardalan

来源：Psychopharmacology, 2010, 207(4): 637-643.

DOI：10.1007/s00213-009-1706-1

• Cholinesterase inhibitors
• Crocus sativus
• Clinical trial
• Dementia

There is increasing evidence to suggest the possible efficacy of Crocus sativus (saffron) in the management of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the efficacy of C. sativus in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate AD.
Fifty-four Persian-speaking adults 55 years of age or older who were living in the community were eligible to participate in a 22-week, double-blind study of parallel groups of patients with AD. The main efficacy measures were the change in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sums of Boxes scores compared with baseline. Adverse events (AEs) were systematically recorded. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a capsule saffron 30 mg/day (15 mg twice per day) or donepezil 10 mg/day (5 mg twice per day).
Saffron at this dose was found to be effective similar to donepezil in the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD after 22 weeks. The frequency of AEs was similar between saffron extract and donepezil groups with the exception of vomiting, which occurred significantly more frequently in the donepezil group.
This phase II study provides preliminary evidence of a possible therapeutic effect of saffron extract in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. This trial is registered with the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry (IRCT138711051556N1).

• 出版日期2010-1
• 单位河北医科大学