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Pharmacopsychiatry 2014; 47(04/05): 156-161
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1382001
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Saffron Aqueous Extract Prevents Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Schizophrenia on Olanzapine Treatment: A Randomized Triple Blind Placebo Controlled Study

F. Fadai
1   Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
B. Mousavi
1   Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
Z. Ashtari
1   Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
N. Ali beigi
1   Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
S. Farhang
2   Clinical Psychiatry Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
,
S. Hashempour
1   Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
N. Shahhamzei
3   Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
,
S. Zahra Bathaie
3   Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
4   Present address: David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles [UCLA], Los Angeles, CA, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 14 February 2014
revised 07 May 2014

accepted 13 May 2014

Publication Date:
23 June 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether saffron aqueous extract (SAE) or its active constituent, crocin, prevents olanzapine-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: 66 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were on olanzapine treatment (5–20 mg daily) were randomly allocated to receive a capsule of SAE (n=22; 30 mg daily), crocin (n=22; 30 mg daily) or placebo (n=22) in a 12-week triple-blind trial. Patients were screened not to have MetS at baseline and further assessment was done at weeks 6 and 12. Measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBS) and serum lipids were repeated at weeks 2, 6 and 12. Fasting blood levels of insulin and HbA1c were also measured at baseline and week 12. HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were determined to evaluate insulin resistance.

Results: 61 patients completed the trial and no serious adverse effects were reported. Time-treatment interaction showed a significant difference in FBS in both SAE and crocin groups compared to placebo (p=0.004). In addition, SAE could effectively prevent reaching the criteria of metabolic syndrome (0 patients) compared to crocin (9.1%) and placebo (27.3%) as early as week 6.

Conclusion: SAE could prevent metabolic syndrome compared to crocin and placebo. Furthermore, both SAE and crocin prevented increases in blood glucose during the study.

Key words

saffron - olanzapine - FBS - metabolic syndrome - insulin resistance
 

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