Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Saffron, a natural remedy with potential antidepressant and anxiolytic properties, has gained attention as a potential therapeutic option.
OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of saffron versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating depression and anxiety.
METHODS: Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane database, were searched from inception to April 31, 2023.
METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing saffron intervention with SSRIs in adults with depression or anxiety were included.
METHODS: Random-effects meta-analysis using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RRs) with their 95% CIs calculated continuous and binary outcomes, respectively. Meta-analysis of 8 studies assessing depression outcomes revealed a nonsignificant difference between saffron and SSRIs in reducing depressive symptoms (SMD = 0.10l 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.29). Four studies reporting anxiety outcomes showed a nonsignificant difference between saffron and SSRIs in reducing anxiety symptoms (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI: -0.22 to 0.29). With regard to safety, participants receiving saffron had fewer adverse events than the SSRI group (risk difference: -0.06; 95% CI: -0.09, -0.04; I2: 0%).
CONCLUSIONS: Saffron could be a potential SSRI alternative to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms with fewer adverse events. Further research with larger sample sizes and in diverse populations is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential moderators of treatment response.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023443236.
OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of saffron versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating depression and anxiety.
METHODS: Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane database, were searched from inception to April 31, 2023.
METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing saffron intervention with SSRIs in adults with depression or anxiety were included.
METHODS: Random-effects meta-analysis using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RRs) with their 95% CIs calculated continuous and binary outcomes, respectively. Meta-analysis of 8 studies assessing depression outcomes revealed a nonsignificant difference between saffron and SSRIs in reducing depressive symptoms (SMD = 0.10l 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.29). Four studies reporting anxiety outcomes showed a nonsignificant difference between saffron and SSRIs in reducing anxiety symptoms (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI: -0.22 to 0.29). With regard to safety, participants receiving saffron had fewer adverse events than the SSRI group (risk difference: -0.06; 95% CI: -0.09, -0.04; I2: 0%).
CONCLUSIONS: Saffron could be a potential SSRI alternative to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms with fewer adverse events. Further research with larger sample sizes and in diverse populations is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential moderators of treatment response.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023443236.
摘要：
背景：藏红花，一种具有潜在抗抑郁和抗焦虑特性的天然药物，作为一种潜在的治疗选择获得了关注。
目的：本系统综述和荟萃分析旨在评价藏红花与选择性5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂（SSRIs）治疗抑郁和焦虑的疗效。
方法：电子数据库，包括PubMed,Embase,Scopus,WebofScience,和Cochrane数据库,从成立之初到2023年4月31日进行了搜索。
方法：纳入了比较藏红花干预与SSRIs治疗成人抑郁或焦虑的随机对照试验（RCT）。
方法：随机效应荟萃分析使用标准化平均差异（SMD）和风险比（RRs）及其95％CI计算的连续和二元结果，分别。对8项评估抑郁结果的研究进行的荟萃分析显示，藏红花和SSRIs在减轻抑郁症状方面没有显着差异（SMD=0.10l95％CI：-0.09至0.29）。四项报告焦虑结果的研究表明，藏红花和SSRIs在减轻焦虑症状方面无显着差异（SMD=0.04；95％CI：-0.22至0.29）。关于安全,接受藏红花治疗的参与者的不良事件少于SSRI组(风险差异:-0.06;95%CI:-0.09,-0.04;I2:0%).
结论：藏红花可能是一种潜在的SSRI替代品，可以减少抑郁和焦虑症状，减少不良事件。有必要在更大的样本量和不同的人群中进行进一步的研究，以验证这些发现并探索治疗反应的潜在调节剂。
背景：PROSPERO注册号。CRD42023443236。
目的：本系统综述和荟萃分析旨在评价藏红花与选择性5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂（SSRIs）治疗抑郁和焦虑的疗效。
方法：电子数据库，包括PubMed,Embase,Scopus,WebofScience,和Cochrane数据库,从成立之初到2023年4月31日进行了搜索。
方法：纳入了比较藏红花干预与SSRIs治疗成人抑郁或焦虑的随机对照试验（RCT）。
方法：随机效应荟萃分析使用标准化平均差异（SMD）和风险比（RRs）及其95％CI计算的连续和二元结果，分别。对8项评估抑郁结果的研究进行的荟萃分析显示，藏红花和SSRIs在减轻抑郁症状方面没有显着差异（SMD=0.10l95％CI：-0.09至0.29）。四项报告焦虑结果的研究表明，藏红花和SSRIs在减轻焦虑症状方面无显着差异（SMD=0.04；95％CI：-0.22至0.29）。关于安全,接受藏红花治疗的参与者的不良事件少于SSRI组(风险差异:-0.06;95%CI:-0.09,-0.04;I2:0%).
结论：藏红花可能是一种潜在的SSRI替代品，可以减少抑郁和焦虑症状，减少不良事件。有必要在更大的样本量和不同的人群中进行进一步的研究，以验证这些发现并探索治疗反应的潜在调节剂。
背景：PROSPERO注册号。CRD42023443236。
