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Planta Med 2023; 89(12): 1125-1137
DOI: 10.1055/a-2112-6204
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
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Influence of Garlic on the Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Animals with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Sara Shojaei-Zarghani
1   Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
,
Nastaran Najafi
2   Patient Safety Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
,
Mohammad Reza Fattahi
1   Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
,
Ali Reza Safarpour
1   Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
› Author AffiliationsThis project was approved and funded by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Code: 26 656).
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Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic sign of metabolic syndrome. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of garlic and its major components on fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, and lipid profile levels in animal models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Web of Science was performed. After the screening process and data extraction, the pooled effect sizes were estimated using a random-effect model and stated as standardized mean differences and a 95% confidence interval. Out of 839 reports, 22 articles were included in the present study. The pooled results revealed that garlic and its components significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (standardized mean difference: − 0.77, 95% confidence interval: − 1.42 to − 0.12, I2 : 58.85%), fasting insulin (standardized mean difference: − 1.88, 95% confidence interval: − 3.07 to − 0.69, I2 : 70.42%), serum triglyceride (standardized mean difference: − 1.01, 95% confidence interval: − 1.43 to − 0.59, I2 : 61.41%), cholesterol (standardized mean difference: − 1.00, 95% confidence interval: − 1.39 to − 0.60, I2 : 52.12%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (standardized mean difference: − 0.98, 95% CI: − 1.63 to − 0.32, I2 : 71.58%) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (standardized mean difference: 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.52 to 1.58, I2 : 59.39%) levels. The type of animal, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induction model, kind and duration of intervention, study model, and risk of bias were detected as possible sources of heterogeneity across studies. We conclude that garlic and its major components have a favorable impact on glycemic control and lipid profile in diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease animal models.

Key words

Garlic - Allium sativum - Amaryllidaceae - insulin resistance - lipid profile - nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Supporting Information

    The PubMed search strategy, sensitivity analyses, funnel plot analyses, and trim-and-fill analyses are available as Supporting Information.

  • Supporting Information


Publication History

Received: 06 February 2023

Accepted after revision: 09 June 2023

Article published online:
29 June 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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