Herbal Medicines Journal
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Effects of Saffron on Erectile Dysfunction in Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan 1
Seyede Fatemeh Ahmadpoori 2
Aliaskar Askari 3
Omid Soufi 4
Ali Mohammad Parviniannasab 1
Hamed Delam 5

1 Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran

2 Community Health Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

3 Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran

4 Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

5 Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22087/hmj.2025.231635
Abstract
Background and Aim: According to previous research, about 30% of men report certain forms of sexual dysfunction. Saffron is one of the medicinal herbs which is considered of high value in Iranian culture. The effect of saffron on the improvement of sexual function has been studied in various studies, but the results of these studies have revealed several challenges. This study aimed to investigate the effect of saffron on erectile dysfunction in men.
Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 24 men with erectile dysfunction who worked in industrial companies from June to September 2021 were enrolled. The participants were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups (n=12/each). The intervention group received 2 capsules of 15 mg of saffron daily twice for 4 weeks. The control group did not receive any treatment. Demographic variables were measured at the beginning of the study, and then the international index of erectile function scale were assessed before and at the end of the intervention. The data were analyzed, using chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests.
Results: The average score of all dimensions of erectile dysfunction (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction) in the intervention group increased significantly after consuming saffron capsules (p-value<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the control group (p-value>0.05). Moreover, the comparison of the mean relative change of all dimensions of sexual function except orgasmic function between the treatment and control groups with the Mann-Whitney test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). In the dimension of orgasmic function, the average changes between the intervention and control groups did not indicate a statistically remarkable distinction (P=0.178).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that saffron could affect all aspects of erectile dysfunction. Thus, saffron could be used for the recovery of sexual performance.

Keywords

Crocus
Saffron
Sexual dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction
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