Saffron for Cognitive Function
Verdict: Published with Warning
Across 4 PubMed studies, the evidence for Saffron in Cognitive Function grades Tier C — weak evidence. Effective, but with safety or population caveats.
C 🟠 C Weak Evidence Published with Warning
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
⚖️
Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.57
D
C
B
A
S
← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
C · Published with Warning
Confidence
70%
Broadly consistent
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.568
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (2 篇 > 0 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — | B→C 因 scope.conflation_risk=true 且 L11 獨評較低 (B7-2 tier cap)
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (4)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
Saffron for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials
Finding: Meta-analysis of 4 RCTs found saffron significantly improved cognitive function on ADAS-cog and CDR-SB vs placebo in AD/MCI patients, but evidence certainty was low.
View on PubMed Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on cognitive function. A systematic review of RCTs
Finding: 5 RCTs (325 participants, 4 in MCI/AD + 1 in cognitively normal adults) found saffron significantly better than placebo on ADAS-cog/MMSE and non-inferior to donepezil/memantine, but risk of bias was high.
View on PubMed Efficacy and Safety of Crocus sativus L. in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: One Year Single-Blind Randomized, with Parallel Groups, Clinical Trial
Finding: 12-month single-blind RCT in 35 amnesic/multi-domain MCI patients (17 vs 18 waiting-list control) concluded Crocus is a good management option, but sample size is very small and unblinded control arm limits certainty.
View on PubMed Comparing the efficacy and safety of Crocus sativus L. with memantine in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease: a double-blind randomized clinical trial
Finding: 12-month double-blind RCT (n=68) in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease found saffron 30mg/day comparable to memantine 20mg/day in reducing cognitive decline (active-comparator, no placebo arm).
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Cautious
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.); CAS 977051-90-3; 21 CFR 73.500, 182.10; COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT. source↗
L4b EU EFSA
Against
a cause and effect relationship has not been established source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Cautious
番紅花（Crocus sativus L.）之柱頭可供食品使用 source↗