Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and Human Metabolic Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ali Jafari, Bahare ParsiNezhad, Minoo AhmadianMoghaddam, Motahareh Hasani, Niloufar Rasaei, Ali Saeedi-Boroujeni, Gholamreza Roshandel, Sima Besharat, Mahla Chambari, Alireza Alaghi

Journal: Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism 2025;9(1):e70135

PMID: 41329614

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Rhus coriaria L. (Anacardiaceae), known as Sumac, is a commonly used spice, which is rich in various classes of phytochemicals including flavonoids, tannins, polyphenolic compounds, organic acids, and may be beneficial for cardiovascular disease risk factors. This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of Sumac supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk factors, including anthropometric measures, glycemic profile, inflammatory markers, and lipid profile. Additionally, we explored the dose-response relationship and optimal duration of Sumac supplementation for its effects on cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

Relevant randomized clinical trials were identified through electronic database searches (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and EMBASE) up to March 2025. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was employed to evaluate study quality. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) in changes between intervention and placebo groups were calculated. A random-effects model, meta-regression, and non-linear modeling explored heterogeneity, dose-response relationships, and the overall impact of Sumac supplementation.

RESULTS

Fifteen trials, with interventions ranging from 4 to 12 weeks and involving 917 participants, were included. Sumac supplementation demonstrated significant improvements in glycemic and lipid profile. Conversely, no significant effects were observed on other cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Sumac supplementation improved lipid profile, and glycemic parameters suggesting potential benefits in addressing cardiovascular risk factors, despite no significant effects on inflammatory parameters.

Address: Student Research Committee, Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.; Student Research Committee, Department of Nutrition, School of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.; Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Lorestan, Iran.; Department of Nutrition, School of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.; Food, Drug, Natural Products Health Research Centre, GolestanUniversity of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.; Micronutrient Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran.; Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jorjani Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.; Faculty of Medicine, Navoi State University, Navoi, Uzbekistan.; Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.; Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jorjani Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.

DOI: 10.1002/edm2.70135

MeSH Terms: Humans, Rhus, Cardiovascular Diseases, Dietary Supplements, Plant Extracts, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Blood Glucose