Background and Objectives: Depression and anxiety are the major public health problems worldwide, which may act synergistically. Type 2 diabetes can cause and aggravate mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Saffron as a medicinal plant may attenuate mixed depression and anxiety (MDA).

Materials & Methods: A total of 54 outpatients with mild to moderate MDA diagnosed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) were assessed by Beck and Hamilton’s depression and anxiety questionnaires. The patients, in this randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, randomly received 15 mg saffron extract or placebo capsules twice a day for 8 weeks.

Results: After the intervention, depression, anxiety and MDA were significantly (P<0.05) attenuated in the saffron group (18, 30 and 25% in Beck and 19, 36 and 24% in the Hamilton measures, respectively), while changes in the placebo group were not significant. In addition, dietary intakes and physical activity of the patients of the two groups did not change significantly during the intervention.

Conclusion: The study results suggest that saffron shows attenuating effect on mild to moderate MDA in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Crocus Sativus L., Mixed depression-anxiety, Saffron, Type 2 Diabetes