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Effects of Crocus sativus on glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2024-05-25
  • Nutrition & metabolism 21(1)
    • Xiaodan Yan
    • Shuyuan Zhao
    • Xue Feng
    • Xinrui Li
    • Qian Zhou
    • Qiu Chen

Study Design

Type
Review
Sample size
n = 840
Population
840 patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and associated disorders
Methods
Searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs until December 30, 2023; used Q-test and I² statistics for heterogeneity, random-effects model
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of clinical syndromes that is closely associated with an elevated risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In a series of animal experiments and clinical trials, crocus sativus and its component crocin have demonstrated promising hypoglycemic effects. However, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding their impact on cardiometabolic parameters. Our study aimed to assess the impact of Crocus sativus and crocin on glycemic control in individuals with metabolic syndrome and associated disorders, as well as their potential effects on improving cardiometabolic parameters. We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to ascertain the pertinent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until December 30, 2023. Q-test and I2 statistics were utilized to evaluate heterogeneity among the included studies. Data were merged using a random-effects model and presented as (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The current comprehensive review and meta-analysis, encompassing 13 RCTs involving a total of 840 patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and associated disorders, demonstrates that Crocus sativus was superior to placebo on Hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) (WMD: -0.31;95% CI [-0.44,-0.19]. P = 0.002) and systolic blood pressure(SBP) (WMD:-7.49;95% CI [-11.67,-3.30]. P = 0.99) respectively. Moreover, Crocus sativus improved fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD:-7.25;95% CI [-11.82, -2.57]. P = 0.002) when used crocin and on other chronic diseases. Crocus sativus reduced the total cholesterol (TC) among the metabolic syndromepatients (WMD:-13.64;95%CI [-26.26, -1.03]. P = 0.03). We demonstrated that Crocus sativus exerts beneficial effects on glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters in individuals with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.

Research Insights

  • Gardenia→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels

    Crocus sativus improved fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD:-7.25;95% CI [-11.82, -2.57]. P = 0.002) when used crocin and on other chronic diseases.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Saffron→Reduced Blood Cholesterol

    Crocus sativus reduced the total cholesterol (TC) among the metabolic syndrome patients (WMD:-13.64;95%CI [-26.26, -1.03]. P = 0.03)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Saffron→Reduced Hemoglobin A1c

    Crocus sativus was superior to placebo on Hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) (WMD: -0.31;95% CI [-0.44,-0.19]. P = 0.002)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Saffron→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure

    systolic blood pressure(SBP) (WMD:-7.49;95% CI [-11.67,-3.30]. P = 0.99)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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