| Effect | Increase |
| Values | SMD and 95% CI. Saffron: 0.21 (-0.02, 0.43) Crocin: 0.01 (-0.25, 0.28) |
| Trial Design | Meta analysis |
| Trial Length | n/a |
| Number of Subjects | -2 |
| Sex | n/a |
This was a meta-analysis of randomized, parallel placebo-controlled trials that evaluated the effects of saffron or crocin on lipid profile and glucose in adults. Overall, 13 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and 11 in the quantitative.
For studies that used saffron: 5 studies evaluated HDL, and a non-significant small increase was found. 4 studies evaluated LDL-C and a modest, statistically significant reduction was found. 4 studies evaluated total cholesterol, and a meaningful difference wasn't found. 5 studies evaluated triglycerides, and no effect was found. 4 studies evaluated glucose, and no effect was found.
For studies that evaluated crocin on its own, no meaningful effects were found.
The authors didn't find evidence of publication bias with the Begg test.
