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Effect of saffron supplementation on the glycemic outcomes in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

  • 2024-03-15
  • Frontiers in nutrition 11
    • Jiaxin Liu
    • Yang Yang
    • Yun Qi

Study Design

Type
Systematic Review
Sample size
n = 562
Population
patients with diabetes
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs comparing saffron supplementation to placebo in patients with diabetes

Aim

This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of saffron supplementation on the glycemic outcomes in patients with diabetes.

Methods

Eight electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to March 31, 2023. RCTs of patients with diabetes receiving saffron compared with placebo which reported glycemic control outcomes were identified. WMD and 95% CIs were pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects models, depending on the significance of heterogeneity.

Results

Out of the 837 citations screened, ten RCTs were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 562 participants were enrolled, with 292 assigned to the intervention group and 270 to the control group. Saffron was administered at a dose of 5 mg/day to 1 g/day. Compared with placebo, saffron supplementation significantly reduced FPG (WMD = -8.42 mg/dL; 95% CI: -13.37, -3.47; p = 0.001) and HbA1c (WMD = -0.22%; 95% CI: -0.33, -0.10; p < 0.001). However, there was no significant effect on insulin levels, QUICKI and HOMA-IR.

Conclusion

Saffron is effective for patients with diabetes in terms of FPG and HbA1c, therefore, it appears to be a promising adjuvant for the glycemic control of DM. However, the overall methodological quality of the identified studies is heterogeneous, limiting the interpretation of the benefit of saffron in diabetes. More long-term follow-up, well-designed and large-scale clinical trials are warranted to draw definitive conclusions.

Systematic review registration

The protocol of review was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (ID: CRD42023426353).

Research Insights

  • Saffron→Improved Fasting Plasma Glucose

    Compared with placebo, saffron supplementation significantly reduced FPG (WMD = -8.42 mg/dL; 95% CI: -13.37, -3.47; p = 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    5 mg/day to 1 g/day
  • Saffron→Improved Insulin Resistance

    However, there was no significant effect on ... HOMA-IR

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    5 mg/day to 1 g/day
  • Saffron→Improved Insulin Sensitivity

    However, there was no significant effect on ... QUICKI

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    5 mg/day to 1 g/day
  • Saffron→Reduced Hemoglobin A1c

    Compared with placebo, saffron supplementation significantly reduced ... HbA1c (WMD = -0.22%; 95% CI: -0.33, -0.10; p < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    5 mg/day to 1 g/day
  • Saffron→Reduced Insulin Levels

    However, there was no significant effect on insulin levels

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    5 mg/day to 1 g/day
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