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

Abstract

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; I(2) = 0) and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels (SMD: -0.90, 95 CI: -1.39, -0.40, P < 0.001; I(2) = 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; I(2) = 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; I(2) = 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.