Latest news with #saffron
Medscape
23-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Saffron May Help SSRI-Related Sexual Dysfunction
LOS ANGELES — Saffron may help treat sexual dysfunction related to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), new research suggests. Results of a preliminary new review found saffron, a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus , commonly known as the 'saffron crocus,' reduced erectile dysfunction in men and boosted arousal in women. Jeremy Wolfe, MD 'Considering our limited toolbox for addressing sexual side effects in patients, it's important to continue assessing and researching potential treatments,' study author Jeremy Wolfe, MD, third-year psychiatry resident, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, told Medscape Medical News . 'A large proportion of patients who experience these side effects will ultimately fail the few adjunctive treatments we have available, and saffron may be an alternative for these patients.' The findings were presented on May 17 at the American Psychiatry Association (APA) 2025 Annual Meeting. A Common Problem Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of SSRIs, with some 14% of patients self-reporting the condition. However, Wolfe noted this 'sensitive topic' is frequently underreported. He noted that when patients are directly asked, the proportion of those who report experiencing some form of sexual dysfunction is closer to 58%. He noted that sexual dysfunction is a significant concern not only with antidepressants but also with many other classes of medications. It is also a common symptom of certain mental health conditions, including depression. Switching medications might help alleviate the issue, but therapists are often reluctant to make a change if the SSRI is effectively treating the depression, as 'we may not find another one that works,' said Wolfe. Currently, physicians may attempt to address the sexual dysfunction by lowering the SSRI dose or by prescribing medications such as bupropion, buspirone, or a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor like sildenafil (Viagra). Ancient Treatment Saffron has been used since ancient times to treat melancholy and insomnia, as well as to enhance sexual well-being. After hearing anecdotal reports that saffron might help with sexual dysfunction in patients with psychiatric disorders, Wolfe decided to explore the research to see what evidence he could find. After conducting a literature search, Wolfe and his colleagues included five studies in their review, all conducted in Iran between 2009 and 2017. Wolfe noted that Iran is the world's leading exporter of saffron, producing about 90% of the global supply. It has long been used there both in cuisine and for medicinal purposes, he added. Four of the studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), while the fifth was a single-group clinical trial. The studies investigated saffron capsules, gels, or tablets compared with placebo. Wolfe noted capsules are 'by far' the most common form of saffron, although it's also available in teas, liquid extracts, and powders in addition to tablets and gels. Three studies focused on men with erectile dysfunction; one enrolled women with sexual dysfunction, and another included both men and women with sexual desire disorder. Participants were matched for depression severity and any concurrent treatments for sexual dysfunction. A 4-week, double-blind RCT included 30 men with a mean age of 32.5 years, whose depressive symptoms were stabilized on fluoxetine (an SSRI) but who reported sexual dysfunction. The results showed significantly greater improvement in erectile function among participants taking 5 mg of saffron twice daily compared with those receiving a placebo (mean difference on the International Index of Erectile Function scale, 7.0; 95% CI, 4.2-9.7; P < .001). They also reported higher intercourse satisfaction (mean difference, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-3.5; P = .001). A randomized, double-blind trial involving 34 women stabilized on fluoxetine showed significant improvements by week 4 on the Female Sexual Function Index. Participants taking 30 mg of saffron daily showed greater improvements in arousal (mean difference vs placebo: −0.72; 95% CI, −1.36 to −0.08; P = .028) and lubrication (mean difference, −1.08; 95% CI, −2.02 to −0.08; P = .035) and experienced less pain during intercourse (mean difference, −1.34; 95% CI, −2.42 to −0.26; P = .016). Since depressive symptoms did not differ significantly between groups, the improvement in sexual function was likely attributable to saffron rather than a reduction in depression, said Wolfe. Potential Mechanisms The exact mechanism by which saffron affects sexual dysfunction remains unclear, said Wolfe. It may influence multiple neurotransmitter systems, particularly serotonin, and also appears to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis-regulating effects. Additionally, it may act on nitric oxide pathways to enhance blood flow. The frequency of side effects did not differ significantly between the saffron and placebo groups in the studies. However, Wolfe noted that other reports have documented side effects that should be considered before recommending saffron to a patient. These may include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, changes in blood pressure, and anxiety. In rare cases, saffron may trigger manic episodes in susceptible individuals or cause allergic reactions. There is also some evidence that saffron may stimulate uterine contractions, posing a potential risk during pregnancy, he added. 'Many of these side effects make sense from the perspective of [saffron's] serotonergic effects,' he said. Wolfe also cautioned that it is possible to take too much saffron. 'From what I've read, dosages above 5 g are considered unsafe,' he said. Symptoms of overdose may include vomiting, severe dizziness, jaundice, and serotonin syndrome — a group of symptoms that can include hypertension, accelerated heart rate, and agitation. 'As with other antidepressant medications, use should be monitored, with annual labs at a bare minimum including blood count, electrolytes, liver function, renal function, and thyroid function,' Wolfe noted. A Possible Solution to a Major Issue Uma Naidoo, MD, an instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, commented on the research for Medscape Medical News . She described the findings as both interesting and promising and said she was pleased to see the APA highlight this work — particularly given that this year's meeting focused on lifestyle approaches to improving mental and physical health. Research on the topic is needed as SSRI-related sexual dysfunction is 'a massive issue,' said Naidoo. 'The potential impact on libido is a reason many young people don't want to start an SSRI,' she added. However, Naidoo noted the studies were confined to Iran, and the sample sizes were small, so the generalizability of the results is limited. She said she would like to see the researchers collaborate with other groups, including academic centers, to conduct larger studies in order to confirm the findings.
CNA
20-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Kashmir's farmers revive saffron cultivation indoors as climate change hits
PAMPORE: Farmer Irshad Ahmad Dar is worried about the future of his 'red gold' crops in the town of Pampore, the heart of India's saffron sector. He makes his livelihood growing and selling saffron – the world's most expensive spice – but crop yield in the Jammu and Kashmir region is facing a steep decline. The bright purple flowers, which used to flourish in the area, have in recent years struggled to grow due to climate change and erratic weather conditions. 'The crop no longer receives timely and adequate rainfall necessary for its growth,' Irshad told CNA. He sells his red-hued threads for US$4,600 per kilogram, higher than the global average. The region boasts the priciest saffron in the world, with its quality – rich colour and intense aroma – giving it premium value. KASHMIR'S RED GOLD It takes 150,000 flowers to produce 1kg of saffron -- fragile strands of crimson and fragrant filaments laboriously picked by hand from saffron bulbs. The spice is used in foods such as paella, as well as in fragrances, dye and medicine. In India, the industry is estimated to be valued at about US$45 million. Jammu and Kashmir produce about 90 per cent of India's saffron, of which a majority is grown in Pampore. It is the third-largest saffron-producing region on the planet, after Iran and Afghanistan. But Kashmir's crops, already dwarfed by that of Iran's which commands about 90 per cent of production worldwide, are dwindling even further. Production has withered from nearly 16,000kg annually in 1997 to 2,600kg last year – a drop of more than 80 per cent. Aside from global warming, fields cultivating the highly prized spice are also under threat from rapid urbanisation, and damaged by wild animals driven to farmlands by deforestation. Indian authorities have vowed efforts to boost production. BRINGING SAFFRON INDOORS In 2018, scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) tried to cultivate the crop in laboratory settings, using tubes containing moisture and vital nutrients. It was hoped that bringing the crop under controlled conditions can alleviate the challenges of harsh weather elements and wild animals. The experiment showed early promise across the sprouting, flowering and harvesting phases, and the method has been shared with traditional growers. However, farmers are struggling with propagation. Bashir Ahmad Ellahi, lead researcher at SKUAST's indoor farming experiment, said the project is still ongoing, and has shown that a controlled environment significantly reduces the risk of crop failure In contrast, farmers in the state of Haryana – some 500km south of Kashmir – have reported more success. "We created an artificial environment without using expensive equipment,' said indoor saffron cultivator Naveen Sindhu. '(We) adopted low-cost heat sheets to control the temperature and installed an air conditioner, a chiller and a humidity controller.' Naveen and his brother grow saffron in an indoor farm in the town of Hisar. They said they tasted success in their second attempt after learning from mistakes in the first failed batch. They price their saffron at around US$6,300 per kilogram, earning more than US$23,000 a year. The Indian government also has its sights set on transforming the northeast of the country into another saffron hub. Since 2021, its Mission Saffron initiative has expanded farming across the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, with plans to grow the spice even further.
