[Home ] [Archive]   [ فارسی ]  
:: Main :: About :: Current Issue :: Archive :: Search :: Submit :: Contact ::
Main Menu
Home::
Journal Information::
About the Journal
Aims& Scopes
Editorial Board::
Editorial Policy::
Articles archive::
All Issues
Current Issue
For Authors::
Call for Papers
Submission Instruction
Submission Form
For Reviewers::
Peer review policy
Peer Review Process
Registration::
Registration Information
Registration Form
Publication Ethices::
Publication Ethices
Corrections, retractions and Matters Arising
Open Access and Copyright Policy
Plagiarism Policy
Principle of Transparency
Contact us::
Contact Information
Contact us
Site Facilities::
Site map
Search contents
FAQ
Top 10 contents
::
Search in website

Advanced Search
..
Receive site information
Enter your Email in the following box to receive the site news and information.
..
IJhrd style for Endnote
 
..
ROAD
..
Creative Commons Licence
..
Open access
..
:: Volume 4, Issue 3 (Autumn 2026 2026) ::
Iran J Health Res Dev 2026, 4(3): 1-17 Back to browse issues page
Effects of physical activity and saffron supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yazgaldi Nazari *1 , Araz Nazari2
1- Department of sports sciences, Faculty of Humanitie and social sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran , y.nazari53@gmail.com
2- Department of physical education, University of Saravan, Saravan, Iran., university of saravan
Abstract:   (55 Views)
Background: Exercise affects the production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory factors, and medicinal plants play an important role in reducing these indicators. Saffron supplementation has been considered by researchers as a nutritional solution for modulating inflammation and oxidative stress caused by exercise. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of exercise and saffron supplementation on inflammatory and oxidant indices through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic search of articles published in English and Persian was conducted from the databases Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, SID, and Magiran until January 2026 and entered into meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random model. The I2 index was also used to determine the heterogeneity of studies, and publication bias was examined using funnel plot analysis and Egger's test.

Results:The results of the present meta-analysis showed that exercise training combined with saffron supplementation significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels (SMD = -1.29, 95% CI =-2.30 to -0.29). However, no significant changes were observed in interleukin-6 levels (SMD = -0.06, 95% CI =-0.91 to -1.03) and malondialdehyde levels (SMD = -0.43, 95% CI =-0/31 to -1.17). 

Conclusion:Saffron supplementation, along with exercise training, is a very effective strategy for suppressing tumor necrosis factor alpha, a key indicator of systemic inflammation, and prevents the increase in malondialdehyde levels.    
Keywords: Exercise Training, Saffron, Malondialdehyde, Interleukin-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor 
Acknowledgements: We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all authors who graciously provided the data from their published studies for use in this work

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Availability of Data and Materials: All data analyzed during this study are derived from previously published articles included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding authors of the original studies upon reasonable request.

Consent for Publication:  This article does not contain any confidential or personally identifiable information.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate:As this study constitutes a systematic review and meta-analysis of previously published literature, it did not involve direct human or animal subjects. Therefore, ethical approval and informed consent were not required for this research

Funding: This work was supported by Golestan University (approved research project no. 20325, session 290, dated 26 November 1404). The funder had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Author Contributions: All authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of this manuscript. All authors have reviewed, approved the final content, and agree to be fully accountable for all aspects of the work.
Full-Text [PDF 2161 kb]   (7 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Original | Subject: Special
References
1. Hooshmand moghadam B, Rashid lamir A, Attarzade Hosseini S R, Gaeini A A. A Review on the Effects of Saffron with Physical Activity. J. Med. Plants 2019; 18 (72) :14-29. [DOI:10.29252/jmp.4.72.S12.14]
2. Asbaghi O, Sadeghian M, Sadeghi O, Rigi S, Tan SC, Shokri A, et al. Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Phyther Res. 2021;35(1):20-32. [DOI:10.1002/ptr.6748] [PMID]
3. Hosseinzadeh M, TaheriChadorneshin H, Ajam-Zibad M, Abtahi-Eivary SH. Pre-supplementation of Crocus sativus Linn (saffron) attenuates inflammatory and lipid peroxidation markers induced by intensive exercise in sedentary women. J Appl Pharm Sci. 2017;7(5):147-51.
4. Nazari Y, Nazari A. Investigatition of lipid peroxidation and salivary antioxidant markers in exercise training: a meta-analysis study. J Health Res Com. 2025;10(4):58-69.
5. Aghajani V, Nazari M, Shabani R. Impact of aerobic and resistance training supplemented with the consumption of saffron on glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde in men with type 2 diabetes. J Gorgan Univ Med Sci. 2019;21(3):24-33.
6. Rajabi A, Khajehlandi M, Siahkuhian M, Akbarnejad A, Khoramipour K, Suzuki K. Effect of 8 weeks aerobic training and saffron supplementation on inflammation and metabolism in middle-aged obese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sports. 2022;10(11):167. [DOI:10.3390/sports10110167] [PMID] [PMCID]
7. Nazari Y, Damirchi A, Sariri R, Nazari A, Bai N. An Investigation of the Changes in Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Salivary Antioxidants Caused by Exhausting Aerobic Activity in Non-Athletic Men. Qom Univ Med Sci J. 2016;10(9):19-26.
8. Ghazalian F, Janbozorgi F, Shakeri N. Effect of strenuous physical activity and Crocus Sativus supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers in male mountain climbers. J Nutr Sci Diet. 2016;
9. Abedi A, Ghobadi H, Sharghi A, Iranpour S, Fazlzadeh M, Aslani MR. Effect of saffron supplementation on oxidative stress markers (MDA, TAC, TOS, GPx, SOD, and pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance): An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Front Med. 2023;10:1071514. [DOI:10.3389/fmed.2023.1071514] [PMID] [PMCID]
10. Khosravi A, Omidali F, Rasoulian B CS. The effects of Short-Term aqueous Saffron extracts consumption on malondialdehyde and anti-oxidant system content of liver of young male rats following an acute bout of exhaustive exercise. :20-30.
11. Porashnavad M, Alizadeh R, Rezaeinezhad N. The Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Crocin on Metabolic Indices, Oxidative Stress, and Blood Pressure in Overweight/Obese Women. J Nutr Fasting Heal. 2025;13(3):197-205.
12. Barari A, Shirali S, Amini S, Nazeri-Manzari H. Interactive effect of Saffron extracts and aerobic training on Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in men with type2 diabetes. J Nutr Sci Diet. 2017;
13. Varmazyar M, Azarbayjani M. The Effect of Saffron Supplementation of Antioxidant Enzymes Activities During a Session Eccentric Exercise in Active Males. J. Med. Plants 2014;13(50):54-63.
14. Moghaddam V, Soltani M, Almasi Vand H. The effect of 12 weeks of aerobic training and saffron supplementation on some serum inflammatory factors and cognitive status of elderly men. J Pract Stud Biosci Sport. 2022;10(24):86-96.
15. Begi I, Afzalpour IM, Yousefi M. The short-term effect of saffron extract consumption on the serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and cortisol in young men after an intense exercise session. Appl Stud Biol Sci Sport. 2022;
16. Hooshmand Moghadam B, Rashidlamir A, Attarzadeh Hosseini SR, Gaeini AA, Kaviani M. The effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in conjunction with concurrent training on body composition, glycaemic status, and inflammatory markers in obese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double‐blind clinical trial. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022;88(7):3256-71. [DOI:10.1111/bcp.15222] [PMID]
17. Rajabi A, Akbar Nezhad Gharehlo A, Madadizadeh E, Basereh A, Khoramipoor K, Pirani H, et al. The effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training with or without saffron supplementation on diabetes‐specific markers and inflammation in women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. Eur J Sport Sci. 2024;24(7):899-906. [DOI:10.1002/ejsc.12125] [PMID] [PMCID]
18. Halalkhor F, Poorrahim A, Siahkouhian M. Effect of Saffron Supplementation and Aerobic Training on Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10 and L-Concentrations in Outpatients with Coronavirus.
19. Golpasasndi S, Abdollahpour S, Golpasandi H. High-intensity interval training combined with saffron supplementation modulates stress-inflammatory markers in obese women with type 2 diabetes. Res Exerc Nutr. 2022;1(1):55-61.
20. Khosravi A, Khosravi P, Daneshyar S, Valipour Dehnou V. Effect of aerobic exercise combined with saffron extract supplementation on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and C-reactive protein in rats following an aerobic exercise until exhaustion. Complement Med J. 2022;11(4):358-71. [DOI:10.32598/cmja.11.4.1121.1]
21. Akbari‐Fakhrabadi M, Najafi M, Mortazavian S, Rasouli M, Memari A, Shidfar F. Effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and endurance training on mitochondrial biogenesis, endurance capacity, inflammation, antioxidant, and metabolic biomarkers in Wistar rats. J Food Biochem. 2019;43(8):e12946. [DOI:10.1111/jfbc.12946] [PMID]
22. Guo Y, Qian H, Xin X, Liu Q. Effects of different exercise modalities on inflammatory markers in the obese and overweight populations: unraveling the mystery of exercise and inflammation. Front Physiol. 2024;15:1405094. [DOI:10.3389/fphys.2024.1405094] [PMID] [PMCID]
23. Rose GL, Skinner TL, Mielke GI, Schaumberg MA. The effect of exercise intensity on chronic inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sci Med Sport. 2021;24(4):345-51. [DOI:10.1016/j.jsams.2020.10.004] [PMID]
24. Nazari Y, Nazari A. The effects of exercise on salivary peroxidase enzyme and salivary flow rates in sedentary individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Prev Med. 2025;12(1):107-22.
25. Thirupathi A, Wang M, Lin JK, Fekete G, István B, Baker JS, et al. Effect of different exercise modalities on oxidative stress: a systematic review. Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021(1):1947928. [DOI:10.1155/2021/1947928] [PMID] [PMCID]
26. Finaud J, Lac G, Filaire E. Oxidative stress: relationship with exercise and training. Sport Med. 2006;36:327-58. [DOI:10.2165/00007256-200636040-00004] [PMID]
27. Kavianipour F, Aryaeian N, Mokhtare M, Mirnasrollahiparsa R, Jannani L, Agah S, et al. The effect of saffron supplementation on some inflammatory and oxidative markers, leptin, adiponectin, and body composition in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A double‐blind randomized clinical trial. Phyther Res. 2020;34(12):3367-78. [DOI:10.1002/ptr.6791] [PMID]
28. Sohaei S, Hadi A, Karimi E, Arab A. Saffron supplementation effects on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Int J Food Prop. 2020;23(1):1386-401. [DOI:10.1080/10942912.2020.1807567]
Send email to the article author

Add your comments about this article
Your username or Email:

CAPTCHA

XML   Persian Abstract   Print

Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
nazari Y, nazari A. Effects of physical activity and saffron supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Iran J Health Res Dev 2026; 4 (3) :1-17
URL: http://jhrd.trjums.ac.ir/article-1-180-en.html

Open Access Statement: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided that the original work is properly cited. 
Volume 4, Issue 3 (Autumn 2026 2026) Back to browse issues page
Iranian journal of Health Research and Development
Persian site map - English site map - Created in 0.22 seconds with 45 queries by YEKTAWEB 4766