Abstract
Background
Cardiometabolic disorders are a growing public health concern worldwide. Lippia citriodora (LC), a polyphenol-rich medicinal plant, has been suggested to offer metabolic benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-modulating properties. However, the clinical evidence regarding its efficacy remains inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of LC extract supplementation on key cardiometabolic risk factors in adults.
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted through June 2025 in original databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of LC extract (alone or combined with Hibiscus sabdariffa) on anthropometric indices, lipid profiles, glycemic markers, and blood pressure were included. Data synthesis was performed using a random-effects model.
Results
Eleven RCTs with diverse populations (503 participants) and intervention durations (3–12 weeks) were included. LC supplementation significantly reduced body weight (WMD: –2.09 kg), BMI (WMD: –0.70 kg/m²), fat mass (WMD: –0.62%), total cholesterol (WMD: –9.06 mg/dL), systolic blood pressure (WMD: –8.59 mmHg), and diastolic blood pressure (WMD: –3.73 mmHg) as well as increased levels of HDL-C (WMD: +2.10 mg/dL). No significant effects were found for glycemic markers and other lipid profiles. Subgroup analyses suggested enhanced benefits in shorter interventions (≤8 weeks), individuals with metabolic syndrome, and combined formulations. Heterogeneity was generally low across outcomes.
Conclusions
LC extract may offer modest but clinically relevant improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly in weight, lipid profile, and blood pressure. These findings support the potential of LC as an adjunctive intervention, though larger and longer-term trials are warranted to confirm its efficacy.
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Funding
Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. Research Program Funding Project (Fund No.: WX21A04).
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Xu, S., Huang, Z., Wang, K. et al. The effect of Lippia Citriodora (LC) extract on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr. Diabetes (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41387-026-00420-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41387-026-00420-2
