The Effect of Saffron Kozanis (<i>Crocus sativus</i> L.) Supplementation on Weight Management, Glycemic Markers and Lipid Profile in Adolescents with Obesity: A Double-Blinded Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Eleni P. Kotanidou,
Vasiliki Rengina Tsinopoulou,
Styliani Giza,
Stergianna Ntouma,
Chrysanthi Angeli,
Michail Chatziandreou,
Konstantinos Tsopelas,
Ioulia Tseti,
Assimina Galli-Tsinopoulou
Affiliations
Eleni P. Kotanidou
2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital, Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Vasiliki Rengina Tsinopoulou
2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital, Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Styliani Giza
2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital, Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Stergianna Ntouma
2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital, Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Chrysanthi Angeli
2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital, Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Michail Chatziandreou
2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital, Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Konstantinos Tsopelas
2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital, Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Ioulia Tseti
Uni-Pharma S.A., 14564 Kifissia, Greece
Assimina Galli-Tsinopoulou
2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital, Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Global rates of adolescent obesity have led the World Health Organization to consider the disease a pandemic that needs focus. In search of new anti-obesity agents, Crocus sativus, popularly known as saffron, is a nutraceutical agent, praised for its beneficial effects. The study aimed to investigate the possible effect of Kozanis saffron administration on weight management of obese prediabetic adolescents. Seventy-four obese prediabetic adolescents participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of three arms, randomly assigned to receive either Kozanis saffron (n = 25, 60 mg/day), metformin (n = 25, 1000 mg/day) or a placebo (n = 24), for twelve weeks. Anthropometry, glycemic markers and lipid profiles were investigated at baseline and post-intervention. Saffron supplementation significantly reduced the weight z-score, BMI, BMI z-score and waist circumference (WC) of obese adolescents; however, this reduction was less significant compared to the effect of metformin. Metformin administration offered a significantly more profound improvement in anthropometry compared to saffron administration. Saffron administration also provided significant improvements in weight, weight z-scores, BMI values, BMI z-scores and WCs compared to the placebo. Saffron supplementation failed to change any glycemic marker, but provided a significant reduction in fasting triglyceride levels and also a significant increase in fasting HDL levels. Saffron Kozanis constitutes a promising nutraceutical option for adolescents and children with obesity and prediabetes in need of weight management.
