Insomnia is a common complaint affecting human performance in daily life activities. This study aimed to analyze the effects of Crocus sativus on insomnia. Methods: PRISMA guidelines were used according to the PICOS model. A systematic search of PubMed/Medline and the Cochrane Library was undertaken for literature until December 2021. A random effects model was used with I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity and a GRADE assessment was used to assess the quality of the outcomes. Eight articles were included, involving 431 participants. Crocus sativus reduced insomnia severity (SMD: 0.53; 95%CI: −0.05 to 1.11; I2 statistic = 59%; p = 0.08) and increased sleep quality (SMD 0.89, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.68; I2 statistic = 90%; p = 0.03; 6 studies, 308 participants, very low-quality evidence) and duration (SMD: 0.57; 95%CI: 0.21 to 0.93; I2 statistic = 40%; p = 0.002; 5 studies; 220 participants, moderate-quality evidence) compared with the placebos. Although there is limited evidence of a very low- to moderate-quality, Crocus sativus may benefit people with insomnia. This non-pharmacological intervention may reduce the chance of adults with insomnia taking sedative–hypnotic medication, thus reducing dependency and withdrawal symptoms.

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disease with proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema. One rare, potentially life-threatening complication of nephrotic syndrome is posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Sudden episodes of neurological symptoms such as headache, confusion, seizures, or focal neurological deficits with radiological findings of white matter abnormalities in the parietal and occipital lobes characterize it. Multiple factors predispose an individual with nephrotic syndrome to PRES, such as uncontrolled hypertension, reduced serum albumin levels, administration of drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), anasarca, disturbed body fluid status and renal insufficiency. Here, we report a case of PRES in a seven-year-old girl with nephrotic syndrome who presented with high blood pressure while admitted to the ward. Her neurological symptom rapidly recovered after the control of hypertension. Recurrence of acute severe hypertension, nephrotic state (edema/ hypoalbuminemia), and renal insufficiency may lead to recurrent PRES. Thus, early treatment of trigger factors, especially of hypertension, is vital to reduce the episodes of PRES.