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Phytotherapy / Metabolic Syndrome · Journal article
Journal of Ethnopharmacology · July 24, 2026
Well-designed and adequately powered for the question it asks.
This meta-analysis of 20 randomized trials in 2445 patients with metabolic syndrome demonstrates that Lamiaceae plant supplementation produces statistically significant but modest reductions in body mass index, weight, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, with high certainty of evidence for BMI and weight outcomes. However, no significant effect was observed on direct measures of body fat mass, and evidence for benefits in patients with diabetes specifically was insufficient.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Adults aged ≥18 years enrolled in RCTs evaluating Lamiaceae plants versus placebo with metabolic syndrome or related conditions (obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Intervention: Lamiaceae family plants (mint/sage family aromatic medicinal plants) supplementation. Compared with: Placebo. n = 2,445.
20 eligible RCTs (n = 2445 participants) met inclusion criteria for Lamiaceae plants versus placebo in metabolic syndrome or related conditions Statistically significant reductions in size-based indices (BMI, weight) and proximal measures of central adiposity (WC, WHR); changes in body fat mass (BFM) were not significant Both short-term (≤8 weeks) and long-term (>8 weeks) Lamiaceae consumption reduced BMI, with effects on WC and weight primarily in overweight/obese individuals
Safety was not reported in the material analysed. Check the source before drawing any conclusion about harm.
Lamiaceae plants may serve as a modest supportive adjunct within multicomponent lifestyle interventions for weight and waist circumference reduction in metabolic syndrome; however, current evidence does not support use as monotherapy or for direct body fat reduction. The modest magnitude of effects and heterogeneity by condition warrant integration with established interventions rather than substitution.
Rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 RCTs with pre-registration, low risk of bias in majority of included studies, and high certainty of evidence for primary anthropometric outcomes (BMI, weight), though effect sizes are modest and direct body composition changes were not significant.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
Lamiaceae plants may serve as a modest supportive adjunct within multicomponent lifestyle interventions for weight and waist circumference reduction in metabolic syndrome; however, current evidence does not support use as monotherapy or for direct body fat reduction. The modest magnitude of effects and heterogeneity by condition warrant integration with established interventions rather than substitution.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
Ethnopharmacological relevance. The Lamiaceae family, commonly known as the mint or sage family, comprises a vast group of aromatic medicinal plants with a global distribution and a deeply entrenched history in traditional medicine systems worldwide. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of Lamiaceae plants on anthropometric indices in metabolic syndrome patients.Materials and methods. We searched PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, ProQuest, SID, and MagIran from inception to July 15, 2025, for RCTs evaluating Lamiaceae plants versus placebo in adults (≥18 years) with metabolic syndrome or related conditions (obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed, with subgroup analyses by intervention duration (≤8 vs. >8 weeks), metabolic status, and Lamiaceae genus. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using NutriGrade. This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was pre-registered (PROSPERO: CRD420251051273).Results. Twenty eligible RCTs (n = 2445 participants) met inclusion criteria. Using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, 50% of studies had unclear allocation concealment, and 10% had high performance bias risk. Random-effects meta-analysis demonstrated statistically significant reductions in size-based indices (BMI, weight) and proxies of central adiposity (WC, WHR), while changes in direct body composition (BFM) were not significant. Both short-term (≤8 weeks) and long-term (>8 weeks) consumption of Lamiaceae reduced BMI, with effects on WC and weight primarily in overweight/obese individuals. Subgroup analyses revealed that specific genera within the Lamiaceae family, particularly Salvia and Zataria, were effective in reducing BMI and WC (only Salvia). Meta-regression analysis revealed no significant linear associations between intervention duration, metabolic status, or Lamiaceae genus and the anthropometric changes. The NutriGrade assessment rated the overall confidence in the meta-evidence as high for the pooled estimates of BMI and weight and moderate for WHR.Conclusion. Lamiaceae supplementation is associated with modest reductions in size-based and central adiposity indices (BMI, WC, WHR) in adults with metabolic syndrome; exploratory subgroup analyses suggested potential signals for Salvia and Zataria, though based on limited trials. However, current evidence is insufficient to demonstrate significant changes in BFM or benefits in patients with diabetes, likely due to limited trial numbers, short durations, and indirect measurement methods. Therefore, Lamiaceae may be considered a supportive adjunct within multicomponent lifestyle interventions.
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