title: Effects of a Topical Saffron (Crocus sativus L) Gel on Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetics: A Randomized, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
abstract: Erectile dysfunction is a man's persistent or recurrent inability to achieve and maintain erection for a satisfactory sexual relationship. As diabetes is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among diabetic men has been reported as 35% to 90%. This randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of a topical saffron (Crocus sativus L) gel on erectile dysfunction in diabetic men. Patients were randomly allocated to 2 equal groups (with 25 patients each). The intervention group was treated with topical saffron, and the control received a similar treatment with placebo. The 2 groups were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire before the intervention and 1 month after the intervention. Compared to placebo, the prepared saffron gel could significantly improve erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients (P < .001). This preliminary evidence suggests that saffron can be considered as a treatment option for diabetic men with erectile dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Iranian Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohammadzadeh-Moghadam
authors.affiliation: Department of Iranian Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Nazarim@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nazari
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shamsa
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamalinejad
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Habibollah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Esmaeeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir Abbas
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Asadpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdoljavad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khajavi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D027622:Crocus / Q000737:chemistry*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Crocus Sativus L; diabetes; erectile dysfunction; saffron