Saffron Effectiveness to Alleviate Depression Symptoms and Cortisol Level of Medical Students with Mild–Moderate Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Medical students experience a heightened risk of depression and necessitate effective, low-side-effect interventions. Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of saffron in decreasing salivary cortisol levels and alleviating mild depressive symptoms in medical students. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with eligible undergraduate medical students. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group, which received saffron tablets, or the placebo group for an 8-week duration. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), while salivary cortisol levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Measurements were taken at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Results: Among 56 participants (28 in each group), the saffron group exhibited significantly lower HDRS scores compared to the placebo group at week 8 (10.5 vs. 18; p < .001), alongside a notable downward trend (p < .001). No significant differences in HDRS were observed at week 4 (p = .302). Salivary cortisol levels did not show significant differences between groups (p > .05), although the saffron group exhibited a decreasing trend while the placebo group showed an increasing trend. Conclusion: Saffron demonstrates efficacy in reducing mild to moderate depressive symptoms among medical students, although it does not lead to significant changes in salivary cortisol levels.