The effect of Saffron on weight and lipid profile: A systematic review, meta-analysis and dose-response of randomized clinical trials

Jamal Rahmani, Nicla Manzari, Jacqueline Thompson, Cain Clark, Gemma Villaneuva, Hamed Kord Varkaneh, Parvin Mirmiran

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    Abstract

    Plant derivatives such as carotenoids and phytosterols enrich foods have been shown to reduce plasma triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and cholesterol concentrations. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analyses study was to investigate the effects of saffron on lipid profiles, reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We performed a systematic electronic search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS to identify RCTs and screening of relevant articles references up to October 12, 2018. There were no language restrictions. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Items for Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We identified and analyzed 14 eligible studies in this meta-analysis. Our study found a significant reduction in cholesterol and TG following saffron intervention (weighted mean difference [WMD]: −6.36 mg/dl, 95% confidence interval, CI, [−10.58, −2.18] and WMD: −5.37 mg/dl, 95% CI [−10.25, −0.48], respectively). There was no significant effect on weight and LDL concentration. A meta-regression analysis showed that long-term saffron intervention can increase the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. In conclusions, our study findings indicate some benefits of saffron on cholesterol, HDL, and TG compared with placebo. However, we recommend the conduct of adequately powered, high-quality RCTs with short- and long-term follow-up, evaluating relevant clinical outcomes to allow for making definitive recommendations.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2244-2255
    Number of pages12
    JournalPhytotherapy Research
    Volume33
    Issue number9
    Early online date2 Jul 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2019

    Bibliographical note

    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Rahmani, J, Manzari, N, Thompson, J, Clark, C, Villaneuva, G, Varkaneh, HK & Mirmiran, P 2019, 'The effect of Saffron on weight and lipid profile: A systematic review, meta-analysis and dose-response of randomized clinical trials' Phytotherapy Research, vol. 33, no. 9, pp. 2244-2255, which has been published in final form at [Link to final article using the https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6420. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

    Keywords

    • Saffron
    • Crocin
    • Weight
    • Triglyceride
    • Cholesterol
    • LDL

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