Therapeutic effect of fenugreek supplementation on type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Introduction: Numerous clinical trials have investigated the effects of fenugreek, a traditional herbal medicine, on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the results from these studies have been inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis on the effects of fenugreek supplementation on weight, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, and glycemic indices in patients with T2DM. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify clinical trial studies until October 2023. The data were analyzed using a random-effects model and presented as the weighted mean difference (WMD) along with the associated 95 % confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant impact of fenugreek supplementation on lowering fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (WMD: 20.32 mg/dl; 95 % CI: 26.65 to -13.99), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (WMD: 0.54 %; 95 % CI: 0.80 to -0.28), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD: 0.36; 95 % CI: 0.67 to -0.05), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: 33.10 mg/dL; 95 % CI: 64.31 to -1.88), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: 29.14 mg/dL; 95 % CI: 55.45 to -2.83), BMI (WMD: 0.73 kg/m2; 95 % CI: 1.40 to -0.07), and increasing the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD: 5.68 mg/dL; 95 % CI: 3.51 to 7.85). However, the effect on fasting insulin, triglycerides, and weight was not significant.