Effects of Cornus mas L. Supplementation on Anthropometric and Metabolic Characteristics in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Abstract

The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is threatening the health of people around the world. The fruit of Cornus mas L. (CM) is rich in bioactive compounds that have the potential to promote health and improve chronic diseases associated with MetS. This systematic review aimed to compile data on the effects of CM supplementation on anthropometric and metabolic characteristics in patients with MetS. Scopus, Web of Sciences, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were employed to identify the eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of CM on anthropometric parameters, glycemia, and lipid profiles up to December 2024. The included articles were subjected to assessment using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A heterogeneity test was conducted on the included trials using the I² statistic. A random-effects model was applied based on the results of the heterogeneity tests, and the pooled data were presented as the mean difference with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of five RCTs were included in the analysis, with a total sample size of 313 human subjects. The results indicated that CM had a significant effect on lowering body mass index (BMI) (MD: -0.31; 95% CI: -0.46 to -0.16, p < 0.0001, I² = 15%), hip circumference (HC) (MD: -0.84; 95% CI: -1.31 to -0.37, p = 0.0005, I² = 19%), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (MD: -4.85; 95% CI: -7.80 to -1.91, p = 0.001, I² = 24%), and total cholesterol (TC) levels (MD: -13.40; 95% CI: -18.93 to -7.87, p < 0.00001, I² = 30%). Furthermore, a notable elevation in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was observed in CM interventions (MD: 2.08; 95% CI: 0.03-4.13, p = 0.05, I² = 0%). Compared to the control group, the reduction in insulin (MD: -3.20; 95% CI: -5.25 to -1.15, p = 0.002, I² = 83%), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) (MD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.67 to -0.04, p = 0.03, I² = 89%), triglyceride (TG) (MD: -36.47, 95% CI: -62.03 to -10.91, p = 0.005, I² = 76%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (MD: -15.35; 95% CI: -25.63 to -5.06, p = 0.003, I² = 52%) were observed in CM interventions, although there was considerable heterogeneity in the results. In conclusion, the present findings suggest the beneficial effects of CM supplementation on MetS and related disorders. However, in order to establish a robust link between CM and MetS, further trials with adequate sample sizes are warranted.