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Effect of crocin versus fluoxetine in treatment of mild to moderate obsessive‐compulsive disorder: A double blind randomized clinical trial
Author(s) -
Kazemi Fatemeh,
Vosough Iraj,
Sepahi Samaneh,
Mohajeri Seyed Ahmad
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.2780
Subject(s) - fluoxetine , obsessive compulsive , double blind , randomized controlled trial , psychiatry , psychology , medicine , clinical trial , clinical psychology , placebo , alternative medicine , receptor , serotonin , pathology
Abstract Background Obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common disabling disorder. Crocin, the active component of the saffron plant (Crocus Sativus L.) has various pharmacological activities. The present study compared the efficacy and safety of crocin and fluoxetine in treatment of mild to moderate OCD. Methods & Materials Fifty patients with OCD, aged 18 to 60 years, were randomized to receive either crocin (15 mg) or fluoxetine (20 mg) capsules for 8 weeks. Eligible participants received one capsule/day in the first month, which followed by two capsules daily in the second month. The patients were evaluated using Yale‐Brown Obsessive‐compulsive scale (Y‐BOCS) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale (HARS). Results The mean Y‐BOCS score in both groups decreased significantly during 2 months ( p ‐value = 0.0001). Also, HARS score in the crocin group was changed from 17.16 to 13.04 whereas, in the fluoxetine group was decreased from 18.28 to 12.34. The results indicated no difference between the two groups in Y‐BOCS and HARS score changes after 2‐month trial ( p ‐value >0.5). Also, fewer adverse effects were reported in the crocin group compared to the fluoxetine group. Conclusion According to our study, it seems that crocin is effective in treatment of patients with mild to moderate OCD with possibly fewer adverse effects compared to fluoxetine.