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Therapeutic Effects of Saffron (Crocus Sativus) Versus Fluoxetine on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial Publisher



Tadyon Najafabadi B1 ; Ghamari K1 ; Kermany Ranjabari T2 ; Noorbala AA2 ; Ebrahimi Daryani N3 ; Vanaki E1 ; Akhondzadeh S1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Psychosomatic Research Center, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Gastroenterology and Hepatology Ward, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Advances in Integrative Medicine Published:2019


Abstract

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an expensive and prevalent functional bowel disorder that can reduce work productivity and quality of life especially among youth. IBS is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits and commonly accompanied by depression and anxiety as comorbid situations. On the other hand, saffron (Crocus sativus) is an herbal medicine with anti-depressive properties. This study aimed to compare efficacy of saffron and fluoxetine in increasing IBS patients’ quality of life. Methods: Sixty-six patients with IBS, according to Rome III criteria, participated in a double-blinded parallel group randomized trial. Patients were equally divided into two groups and either received saffron or fluoxetine for 6 weeks. Every 2 weeks, each patient was requested to complete IBS quality of life and hospital anxiety and depression scale questionnaires and asked to report side effects of treatment. Results: Baseline characteristics of groups were insignificantly different. General linear model repeated measures revealed no significant within subject effect for time × treatment interaction difference among two groups for quality of life score (p-value = 0.755), depression (p-value = 0.643) and anxiety (p-value = 0.150) scores among groups. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that saffron could be as effective as fluoxetine in increasing IBS patients’ quality of life with similar anti-depressive and anxiolytic effect among these patients. What might make saffron a proper medical treatment alternative for IBS is its rare side effects, wide range of use and greater patient compliance. However, further investigation and research in the area is recommended. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd
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