Saffron trial reported symptom and inflammation changes in Parkinson's disease
A placebo-controlled study found favorable changes in several measures, but did not establish lasting benefit or slower disease progression.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In this trial, saffron supplementation improved several reported symptom and quality-of-life measures compared with placebo and lowered C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker. The oxidative-stress marker malondialdehyde did not show a statistically significant between-group change. These results concern people with Parkinson's disease and do not establish slower disease progression or a general benefit for healthy adults.
Symptom scales and clinically meaningful thresholds are not explained in the abstract. The short observation period and absence of observed side effects do not establish longer-term safety or effects on disease progression.
What researchers found
Change in C-reactive protein
Saffron versus placebo over 12 weeks; adjusted mean difference in changes, with ANCOVA p < 0.001.
How the trial was analysed
Researchers compared changes between the assigned saffron and placebo groups using an intention-to-treat analysis. The reported inflammation result was an adjusted difference in a blood marker, separate from the symptom and quality-of-life assessments.
What else was reported
Favorable changes were reported in mood, cognition, sleep, fatigue and several quality-of-life measures. No side effects were observed in either group, but the study does not establish what happens with continued use beyond the trial.
The original publication
The effect of saffron supplementation on indices of oxidative stress, inflammation, mental health, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Hajhashemy Z, Bagherniya M, Sadeghi O et al.
Food Funct · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41439298
- Record checked
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