Researchers have previously reported sleep-enhancing effects of saffron supplementation in adults with unsatisfactory sleep. This 28-day, 3-arm, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 120 adults with unsatisfactory sleep received either a placebo, 14 mg, or 28 mg of a standardised saffron extract (affron®), 1 h before bed. Outcome measures included the Pittsburgh Sleep Diary (with sleep quality ratings as the primary outcome measure), Insomnia Symptom Questionnaire (ISQ), Profile of Mood States, Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, and evening salivary melatonin and cortisol concentrations.
Compared to the placebo, saffron supplementation was associated with greater improvements in sleep quality ratings, mood ratings after awakening, the ISQ total score, and ISQ-insomnia classifications. However, there were no significant differences between the saffron and placebo groups in other questionnaire and sleep diary outcome measures. Saffron increased evening melatonin but did not affect cortisol. Saffron extract administered at 14 or 28 mg has similar treatment efficacy.
Study authors suggest more research is required to examine the efficacy and safety of saffron supplementation using objective sleep measures, over a longer duration, in people presenting with a diagnosed insomnia disorder.
