Effects of physical activity and saffron supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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 ۲۰۲۶ and entered into meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and ۹۵% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random model. The I۲ 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 = -۱.۲۹, ۹۵% CI =-۲.۳۰ to -۰.۲۹). However, no significant changes were observed in interleukin-۶ levels (SMD = -۰.۰۶, ۹۵% CI =-۰.۹۱ to -۱.۰۳) and malondialdehyde levels (SMD = -۰.۴۳, ۹۵% CI =-۰.۳۱ to -۱.۱۷).  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-۶, 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. ۲۰۳۲۵, session ۲۹۰, dated ۲۶ November ۱۴۰۴). 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.

کلیدواژه ها:

Exercise Training ، Saffron ، Malondialdehyde ، Interleukin-۶ ، Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha ، فعالیت ورزشی ، زعفران ، مالون دی آلدهید ، اینترلوکین-۶ ، فاکتور نکروزدهنده ی تومور-آلفا