Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and Metabolic support: evidence and sources

Introduction Cumin ( Cuminum cyminum L.) is recognized for its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, which may influence components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults with metabolic disorders. However, previous studies have reported inconclusive and sometimes conflicting results. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of cumin supplementation on MetS components in adults with metabolic disorders. Methods A systematic search of electronic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and PubMed, was conducted up to April 2025 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating cumin supplementation in adults with metabolic disorders. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity. The search was restricted to studies published in English. Publication bias was assessed using Begg's test. Results A total of nine studies published between 2013 and 2020, with intervention durations ranging from 8 to 24 weeks, were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicate that cumin supplementation significantly affected several components of MetS. Specifically, cumin demonstrated a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBS) (SMD: -1.38; 95% CI: -2.26 to -0.50, p = 0.002; I 2 = 94.6%, p p = 0.044; I 2 = 88.7%, p p = 0.033; I 2 = 56.1%, p = 0.077). Additionally, cumin was associated with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (SMD: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.02 to 1.52, p = 0.045; I 2 = 92.3%, p cumin could have more beneficial effects in older adults (>50 years old) in term of FBS and TG. Also, lower doses of cumin supplementation were responsive for improvement in FBS and HDL-C levels. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that cumin supplementation may have beneficial effects on several components of MetS, including FBS, lipid profile (TG and HDL-C), and WC, in adults with metabolic disorders. However, further high-quality, large-scale trials are needed to strengthen the evidence and confirm these findings.

We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the effect of cumin supplementation on markers of glycemic control in adults. A comprehensive literature search was conducted up from inception to November 2020 on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Cochrane electronic databases. Studies that compared the effect of cumin with placebo on fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum insulin, and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in adults were considered eligible. Weighted mean difference (WMD) (with 95% confidence intervals) for endpoints were calculated using the random-effects model. Finally, a total of eight RCT studies involving 552 participants were included in the review. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that cumin supplementation did not significantly alter serum FBS (WMD: -17.77 mg/dl; 95% CI: -36.42 to 0.87, p = .06), insulin (WMD: -0.49 Hedges' g; 95% CI: -1.19 to 0.21, p =.16) levels and HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.06; 95% CI: -0.21 to 0.10, p = 0.48) index. These results do not support the use of cumin supplementation for improving glycemic markers in adults. However, further high-quality trials are still needed to confirm these results.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Cuminum Cyminum (CC) is a traditional herbal medicine using as an antiseptic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Recently hypoglycemic characteristics of CC have been indicated. Aim of the study We intended to conduct a meta-analysis on the effect of CC supplementation on glycemic parameters in patients with different chronic diseases. Materials and methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched until May 2021. Random effect model was conducted to perform the meta-analysis. Source of heterogeneity was explored using the meta-regression and subgroup analyses. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess the quality of studies. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of evidence. Results Findings of eight studies showed that CC supplementation reduced FBS (SMD = -1.4 mg/dl; 95 % CI: -2.29, -0.51; P = 0.002), HbA1c (SMD = -1.71 %; 95 % CI: -3.24, -0.18; P = 0.028), and HOMA-β (SMD = 0.46; 95 % CI: -0.62, 1.55; P = 0.404) significantly. Also, CC increased QUICKI level (SMD = 0.89; 95 % CI: 0.37, 1.4; P = 0.001. However, no significant effect of CC was observed on insulin (SMD = -0.70 μIU/dl; 95 % CI: -1.84, 0.45; P = 0.234) and HOMA-IR (SMD = 0.46; 95 % CI: -0.62, 1.55; P = 0.404). Conclusion CC had an improving effect on FBS, HbA1C, HOMA-B, and QUICKI. The effect of CC on amending HOMA-IR was significant after sensitivity analysis. However, the insulin level was not changed significantly.

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of cumin supplementation on plasma lipid concentration in adult population. The search included PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane library (up to January 2018) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of cumin supplementation on serum lipid parameters. Mean difference (MD) was pooled using a random-effects model. Meta-analysis of data from six eligible RCTs with 376 participants showed a significant reduction in plasma concentration of total cholesterol (MD [95% CI] -10.90 [-21.39, -0.42] mg/dl, p = 0.042) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD [95% CI] -6.94 [-11.53, -2.35] mg/dl, p = 0.003) after supplementation with cumin compared with control treatment, and plasma concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD [95% CI] 3.35 [1.58, 5.12] mg/dl, p˂0.001) were found to be increased. Although our analysis indicated that cumin supplementation cannot change triglyceride (TG) concentration (MD [95% CI] -20.48 [-41.23, -0.26] mg/dl, p = 0.053), but after stratified the RCTs based on the primary level of TG (hypertriglyceridemia versus nonhypertriglyceridemia subjects), there was a significant decrease in nonhypertriglyceridemia subset. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested the efficacy of cumin supplementation on lipid parameters.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), as a major health problem, is increasing. Very limited data exist on the effect of Cuminum cyminum L. essential oil (CuEO) on MetS components. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the effect of CuEO supplementation on anthropometric indices, glycemic control, blood pressure, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in patients with MetS. In a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 56 patients with MetS aged 18-60 years received either 75 mg CuEO or placebo soft gel thrice daily for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices and biochemical measurements were assessed at baseline and end of the study. At the end of study, except for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the other assessed variables were not significantly different between two groups. In intra group analysis, placebo and CuEO groups both had nonsignificant decrements in DBP (mean difference [MD] with 95% CI: -3.31 [-7.11, 0.47] and -1.77 [-5.95, 2.40] mmHg, respectively). However, DBP was significantly lower in CuEO compared with the placebo group at the end of study (81.41 ± 5.88 vs. 84.09 ± 5.54 mmHg, MD with 95% CI: -3.98 [-7.60, -0.35] mmHg, p < .05). The results indicated that CuEO does not have any effect on MetS components, except for DBP in patients with MetS.