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.
Written by:
Mohammadzadeh-Moghadam H, Nazari SM, Shamsa A, Kamalinejad M, Esmaeeli H, Asadpour AA, Khajavi A. Are you the author?
Department of Iranian Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Reference: J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015 May 6. pii: 2156587215583756.
doi: 10.1177/2156587215583756
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25948674