crocus sativus
2 interactions related to crocus sativus
fluoxetine + saffron
Saffron (Crocus sativus) has its own mild antidepressant activity, including serotonergic effects shown in randomized controlled trials. Combining a standardized saffron extract with fluoxetine theoretically adds to serotonergic tone, but augmentation trials adding saffron on top of existing antidepressants found it well tolerated, with no reported cases of serotonin syndrome. The interaction is best treated as plausible rather than documented.
saffron + curcumin
Saffron (Crocus sativus) and curcumin (from turmeric) both have antidepressant effects through partly complementary mechanisms: saffron modulates serotonin and dopamine reuptake and increases BDNF, while curcumin reduces neuroinflammation, supports monoamine balance, and normalizes the HPA axis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found a saffron plus curcumin combination significantly improved depressive symptoms versus placebo in adults with major depression.