02/27/2026
According to Blasco-Fontecilla et al. (2022), this non-randomized clinical study compared the effectiveness of saffron extract (Saffr’Activ, 30 mg/day) with extended-release methylphenidate (up to 1 mg/kg/day) in 63 children and adolescents aged 7–17 years diagnosed with ADHD. Over a three-month treatment period, both groups showed significant improvements in core ADHD symptoms, as measured by the SNAP-IV and Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-10), as well as in executive functioning measured by the BRIEF-2 and the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (CPT-3). Importantly, two-way ANOVA analyses revealed no statistically significant interaction effects between treatment type and time, indicating that saffron and methylphenidate were comparable in overall efficacy. However, methylphenidate showed greater improvement in inattention symptoms, while saffron demonstrated a stronger effect on hyperactivity symptoms.
According to the study’s results section, both treatments were also well tolerated, with no significant differences in side effects between the saffron group (31.2%) and the methylphenidate group (25.9%). Additionally, saffron showed a notable—though not statistically significant—improvement in time to fall asleep, as measured by the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), whereas methylphenidate did not. The authors concluded that saffron extract appears to be a safe and effective alternative treatment for ADHD, particularly for hyperactivity symptoms, and may offer additional sleep-related benefits. However, they emphasized that larger randomized, double-blind studies are needed to confirm these findings.
PMCID: PMC9573091 PMID: 36235697