A randomized clinical trial to test efficacy of chamomile and saffron for neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory responses in depressive patients

Ahmad S, Azhar A, Tikmani P, Rafique H, Khan A, Mesiya H, Saeed H · Heliyon · 2022 October

DOI 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10774

Objective

To investigate the synergistic effects of chamomile and saffron as an adjuvant therapy in patients with mild to moderate depression.

Conclusions

The study concluded that herbal adjuvant therapy with chamomile and saffron significantly improved depressive symptoms, enhanced the efficacy of allopathic treatment, and increased the availability of tryptophan in the brain.

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Insights

The combined use of chamomile and saffron with usual medication enhances the efficacy against depression and ensures long term improvement.

This research was a randomized, open, blinded trial with 120 participants split evenly into a test and control group. After consent was obtained, a patient health questionnaire was filled out to determine depression scores. Participants in the test group received herbal tea sachets, containing 20 mg of chamomile and 1 mg of saffron, twice per day for a month in addition to their regular medications. Control group participants only received their standard allopathic medicine. Blood samples were taken both before and after the treatment period. The test showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms for both groups. However, in the test group, the addition of the herbal teas amplified the effect of the medications. The herbal adjuvant therapy reduced inflammatory markers and tryptophan levels in plasma, which increased the availability of tryptophan in the brain, a key aspect in managing depression. Consequently, the research concluded that inclusion of these herbs enhances the effectiveness of the conventional treatment against depression and provides long term benefits.