Effects of fenugreek supplementation on the components of metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders with a heavy disease burden. Fenugreek was reported to be effective in some components of MetS. Therefore, a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted to study the effects of fenugreek on MetS indices. From the beginning until August 2022, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of science were searched. Data were analyzed using the random-effect model, and presented as weighted mean difference (WMD) and associated 95 % confidence interval (CI). This meta-analysis comprised from a total of 29 eligible RCTs with 31 arms measuring fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The results indicated significant improving effects of fenugreek on FPG (WMD:-16.75 mg/dL; 95 % CI:-23.36,-10.15; P < 0.001), TG (-20.12 mg/dL; 95 % CI:-34.238,-5.994; P < 0.001), HDL (WMD: 3.55 mg/dL; 95 % CI: 1.98, 5.12; P < 0.001), WC (WMD:-2.51; 95 % CI:-3.78,-1.24; P < 0.001) and SBP (WMD:-3.45 mmHg; 95 % CI:-6.38,-0.52; P = 0.021); However the effect on DBP (WMD: 3.17; 95 % CI:-5.40, 11.73; P = 0.469) and BMI (WMD:-0.40 kg/m2; 95 % CI:-1.114, 0.324; P = 0.281) was not significant. Administration of fenugreek can meaningfully reduce FPG, TG, WC, and SBP and increase HDL. The overall results support possible protective and therapeutic effects of fenugreek on MetS parameters.