scholarly journals Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 557-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Marx ◽  
Melissa Lane ◽  
Tetyana Rocks ◽  
Anu Ruusunen ◽  
Amy Loughman ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has gained interest as a potential treatment in psychiatry. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to investigate the effect of saffron supplementation, as both an adjunctive therapy and monotherapy, on symptoms of depression and anxiety in clinical and general populations compared with pharmacotherapy or placebo. Data sources Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials was conducted. Data extraction A meta-analysis was conducted to determine treatment effect. Risk of bias was assessed using the Jadad scale. Results Twenty-three studies were included. Saffron had a large positive effect size when compared with placebo for depressive symptoms (g = 0.99, P < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (g = 0.95, P < 0.006). Saffron also had a large positive effect size when used as an adjunct to antidepressants for depressive symptoms (g = 1.23, P = 0.028). Egger’s regression test found evidence of publication bias. Conclusions Saffron could be an effective intervention for symptoms of depression and anxiety; however, due to evidence of publication bias and lack of regional diversity, further trials are required. PROSPERO registration CRD42017070060.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254778
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Dominguez ◽  
Suzy J. M. A. Matthijssen ◽  
Christopher William Lee

Background Trauma-focused treatments (TFTs) have demonstrated efficacy at decreasing depressive symptoms in individuals with PTSD. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of TFTs for individuals with depression as their primary concern. Methods A systematic search was conducted for RCTs published before October 2019 in Cochrane CENTRAL, Pubmed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and additional sources. Trials examining the impact of TFTs on participants with depression were included. Trials focusing on individuals with PTSD or another mental health condition were excluded. The primary outcome was the effect size for depression diagnosis or depressive symptoms. Heterogeneity, study quality, and publication bias were also explored. Results Eleven RCTs were included (n = 567) with ten of these using EMDR as the TFT and one using imagery rescripting. Analysis suggested these TFTs were effective in reducing depressive symptoms post-treatment with a large effect size [d = 1.17 (95% CI: 0.58~ 1.75)]. Removal of an outlier saw the effect size remain large [d = 0.83 (95% CI: 0.48~ 1.17)], while the heterogeneity decreased (I2 = 66%). Analysis of the 10 studies that used EMDR also showed a large effect [d = 1.30 (95% CI: 0.67~1.91)]. EMDR was superior to non trauma-focused CBT [d = 0.66 (95% CI: 0.31~1.02)] and analysis of EMDR and imagery rescripting studies suggest superiority over inactive control conditions [d = 1.19 (95% CI: 0.53~ 1.86)]. Analysis of follow-up data also supported the use of EMDR with this population [d = 0.71 (95% CI: 1.04~0.38)]. No publication bias was identified. Conclusions Current evidence suggests that EMDR can be an effective treatment for depression. There were insufficient RCTs on other trauma-focused interventions to conclude whether TFTs in general were effective for treating depression. Larger studies with robust methodology using EMDR and other trauma-focused interventions are needed to build on these findings.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasrin Amiri Dashatan ◽  
Marzieh Ashrafmansouri ◽  
Mehdi Koushki ◽  
Nayebali Ahmadi

Abstract Background Leishmaniasis is one of the most important health problems worldwide. The evidence has suggested that resveratrol and its derivatives have anti-leishmanial effects; however, the results are inconsistent and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of resveratrol and its derivatives on the Leishmania viability through a systematic review and meta-analysis of available relevant studies. Methods The electronic databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus were queried between October 2000 and April 2020 using a comprehensive search strategy. The eligible articles selected and data extraction conducted by two reviewers. Mean differences of IC50 (concentration leading to reduction of 50% of Leishmania) for each outcome was calculated using random-effects models. Sensitivity analyses and prespecified subgroup were conducted to evaluate potential heterogeneity and the stability of the pooled results. Publication bias was evaluated using the Egger’s and Begg’s tests. We also followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for this review. Results Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. We observed that RSV and its derivatives had significant reducing effects on Leishmania viability in promastigote [24.02 µg/ml; (95% CI 17.1, 30.8); P < 0.05; I2 = 99.8%; P heterogeneity = 0.00] and amastigote [18.3 µg/ml; (95% CI 13.5, 23.2); P < 0.05; I2 = 99.6%; P heterogeneity = 0.00] stages of Leishmania. A significant publication bias was observed in the meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses showed a similar effect size while reducing the heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis indicated that the pooled effects of leishmanicidal of resveratrol and its derivatives were affected by type of stilbenes and Leishmania species. Conclusions Our findings clearly suggest that the strategies for the treatment of leishmaniasis should be focused on natural products such as RSV and its derivatives. Further study is needed to identify the mechanisms mediating this protective effects of RSV and its derivatives in leishmaniasis.


2022 ◽  
pp. 000486742110687
Author(s):  
Masoud Ahmadzad-Asl ◽  
Farnoush Davoudi ◽  
Safoura Mohamadi ◽  
Fatemeh Hadi ◽  
Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi ◽  
...  

Objective: This review aimed to measure the degree of placebo response in panic disorder. Data Sources: We searched major databases up to 31 January 2021, for randomized pharmacotherapy trials published in English. Study Selection: A total of 43 studies met inclusion criteria to be in the analysis (with 174 separate outcome measurements). Data Extraction: Changes in outcome measures from baseline in the placebo group were used to estimate modified Cohen’s d effect size. Results: A total of 43 trials (2392 subjects, 174 outcomes using 27 rating scales) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall placebo effect size was 0.57 (95% confidence interval = [0.50, 0.64]), heterogeneity ( I2: 96.3%). Higher placebo effect size was observed among clinician-rated scales compared to patient reports (0.75 vs 0.35) and among general symptom and anxiety scales compared to panic symptoms and depression scales (0.92 and 0.64 vs 0.56 and 0.54, respectively). There was an upward trend in effect size over the publication period ( r = 0.02, p = 0.002) that was only significant among clinician-rated scales ( r = 0.02, p = 0.011). There was no significant publication bias, Egger’s test ( p = 0.08). Conclusion: We observed a substantial placebo effect size in panic disorder. This effect was more prominent for some aspects of panic disorder psychopathology than for others and was correlated with the source of the assessment and publication year. This finding has implications both for research design, to address the heterogeneity and diversity in placebo responses, and for clinical practice to ensure optimal quality of care. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO, CRD42019125979.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Laís Eloy Machado da Silva ◽  
Mônica Leila Portela de Santana ◽  
Priscila Ribas de Farias Costa ◽  
Emile Miranda Pereira ◽  
Carina Márcia Magalhães Nepomuceno ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Zinc is an essential trace mineral required for the function of brain and neural structures. The role of zinc supplementation in the prevention and treatment of depression has been suggested in clinical studies that reported a reduction in depressive symptoms. Objective The aim of this review was to determine whether zinc supplementation vs placebo can prevent or improve depressive symptoms in children, adolescents, or adults. Data Sources Five electronic databases were searched, and studies published until September 2019 were included without language restriction. Study Selection Randomized, controlled, crossover trials that evaluated the effect of zinc supplementation vs a comparator for prevention or improvement of depressive symptoms in children, adolescents, or adults were eligible for inclusion. Data Extraction Two authors independently performed data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment. Results The initial search identified 12 322 studies, 5 of which were eligible for meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference (SMD) showed an average reduction of 0.36 point (95%CI, −0.67 to −0.04) in the intervention group compared with the placebo group. Forstudies in which the mean age of participants was ≥ 40 years, the SMD was reduced by 0.61 point (95%CI, −1.12 to −0.09) in the intervention group vs the placebo group. The meta-analysis by sample size (&lt; 60 individuals and  ≥ 60 individuals) did not show an effect of zinc supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms (SMD −0.28; 95%CI, −0.67 to −0.10; and SMD −0.52; 95%CI, −1.10 to 0.06). Conclusion Zinc supplementation may reduce depressive symptoms in individuals treated with antidepressant drugs for clinical depression. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration number CRD42018081691.


2016 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 70-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Buchberger ◽  
Hendrik Huppertz ◽  
Laura Krabbe ◽  
Beate Lux ◽  
Jessica T. Mattivi ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e016777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiril Cecilie Borge ◽  
Heidi Aase ◽  
Anne Lise Brantsæter ◽  
Guido Biele

ObjectivesThis systematic review and meta-analysis provides a quantitative summary of the literature exploring the relationship between maternal diet quality during pregnancy and child cognitive and affective outcomes. We investigate whether there are indications for robust associations and aim to identify methodological strengths and challenges of the current research to provide suggestions of improvement for future research.Design and participantsRelevant studies were identified through a systematic literature search in relevant databases. All studies investigating maternal diet quality during pregnancy in relation to child cognitive or affective functioning in children of elementary school age or younger were assessed for inclusion.Results18 relevant studies, comprising 63 861 participants were identified. The results indicated a small positive association between better maternal diet quality during pregnancy and child functioning. We observed publication bias and significant heterogeneity between studies, where type of diet classification, publication year and outcome domain together accounted for about 30% of this heterogeneity. Trim and fill analysis substantiated the presence of publication bias for studies in the affective domain and showed an adjusted effect size of Hedge’s g=0.088 (p=0.0018) (unadjusted g=0.093 (p=0.03)). We observed no publication bias in the cognitive domain, where results indicated a slightly larger effect size (g=0.14 (p<0.0001)) compared with that of the affective domain. The overall summary effect size was g=0.075 (p<0.0001) adjusted for publication bias (unadjusted g=0.112 (p=0.0001)). Child diet was not systematically controlled for in the majority of the studies.ConclusionThe results indicated that a better maternal diet quality during pregnancy has a small positive association with child neurodevelopment, with more reliable results seen for cognitive development. These results warrant further research on the association between maternal diet quality during pregnancy and cognitive and affective aspects of child neurodevelopment, whereby it is crucial that future studies account for child diet in the analysis.


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