We performed a meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of Zingiberaceae on cardiovascular risk factors in
type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched systematically until October 18, 2021. Thirty-four RCTs with 2154 patients met our inclusion. Pooled analysis indicated that Zingiberaceae can significantly improve
body weight (BW) (WMD = -1.012, 95% CI: -1.673, -0.351, p = .003), fasting
blood glucose (FBG) (WMD = -14.292, 95% CI: -18.588, -9.995, p < .001),
glycosylated hemoglobin 1c (HbA1c) (WMD = -0.432, 95% CI: -0.607, -0.257, p < .001), serum
insulin (WMD = -2.036, 95% CI: -2.857, -1.216, p < .001), homeostasis model assessment
insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD = -0.886, 95% CI: -1.375, -0.398, p < .001),
high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD = 0.850, 95% CI: 0.018, 1.682, p = .045),
triglyceride (TG) (WMD = -17.636, 95% CI: -27.121, -8.151, p < .001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD = -0.642, 95% CI: -1.148, -0.137, p = .013),
C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD = -0.623, 95% CI: -1.061, -0.186, p = .005),
tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (WMD = -3.020, 95% CI: -4.327, -1.712, p < .001), and
interleukin 6 (IL-6) (WMD = -1.147, 95% CI: -1.887, -0.406, p = .002). The supplementation of Zingiberaceae may be an effective adjunctive
therapy in management of T2DM and prevention cardiovascular complications by decreasing BW, improving
blood glucose control,
insulin resistance,
lipid profiles (HDL-C and TG), blood pressure (DBP), and reducing
inflammation (CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Approximately half of the deaths of individuals with
diabetes mellitus (DM) are attributable to
cardiovascular disease (CVD), and individuals with T2DM have a two-fold increased risk of cardiovascular mortality than healthy individuals. Currently, T2DM is mainly treated with
hypoglycemic medication such as sulfonylureas,
thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, and
biguanides. Nevertheless, most of them with long-term usage could cause side effects, including
hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal troubles. Several species of the Zingiberaceae family are used in traditional
herbal medicines, which have been widely used in traditional and
complementary medicine. Proving the potential benefits of Zingiberaceae on T2DM and its cardiovascular complications has positive clinical implications for the use of this practical herb.