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The effect of chamomile consumption on glycemic markers in humans and animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

  • 2023-11-27
  • Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders 23(1)
    • Camellia Akhgarjand
    • Jalal Moludi
    • Sara Ebrahimi-Mousavi
    • Amir Bagheri
    • Narges Ghorbani Bavani
    • Mohammad Taghi Beigmohammadi
    • Mahsa Malekahmadi

Study Design

Type
Review
Methods
systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of both human and animal models

Purpose

The use of natural and herbal products as alternative therapies, in conjunction with blood glucose-lowering medications, is on the rise for patients with diabetes. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of both human and animal models to investigate the impact of chamomile consumption on glycemic control.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted on all published papers from January 1990 up to January 2022 via Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and ISI Web of Science. Human and animal articles evaluating the effect of chamomile on serum glycemic markers were included. We used the random-effects model to establish the pooled effect size. The dose-dependent effect was also assessed.

Results

Overall, 4 clinical trials on human and 8 studies on animals met the inclusion criteria. With regard to RCTs, a favorable effect of chamomile consumption on serum fasting blood glucose (Standardized Mean Differences (SMD): -0.65, 95% CI: -1.00, -0.29, P < 0.001; I2 = 0%) and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels (SMD: -0.90, 95% CI: -1.39, -0.40, P < 0.001; I2 = 45.4%) was observed. Considering animal studies, consumption of chamomile extracts significantly reduced serum blood glucose (SMD: -4.37, 95% CI: -5.76, -2.98, P < 0.001; I2 = 61.2%). Moreover, each 100 mg/d increase in chamomile extract intervention resulted in a significantly declined blood glucose concentrations (MD: -54.35; 95% CI: -79.77, -28.93, P < 0.001; I2 = 94.8).

Conclusion

The current meta-analysis revealed that chamomile consumption could exert favorable effects on serum blood glucose and HbA1C. However, additional randomized controlled trials are needed to further confirm these findings.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01345-8.

Research Insights

  • Chamomile→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels

    a favorable effect of chamomile consumption on serum fasting blood glucose (Standardized Mean Differences (SMD): -0.65, 95% CI: -1.00, -0.29, P < 0.001; I² = 0%)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Chamomile→Reduced Hemoglobin A1c

    and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels (SMD: -0.90, 95% CI: -1.39, -0.40, P < 0.001; I² = 45.4%)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
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