Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40011883›Full record

SynthesisBMC complementary medicine and therapies2025

The effect of Zataria multiflora on respiratory symptoms, pulmonary functions, and oxidative stress parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Naheed Aryaeian, Fahimeh Agh, Ali Nouri, Seyed Mojtaba Ghoreishy, Amirhossein Ramezani Ahmadi, Narges Dehghanseresht, Narges Sadeghi, Mehrnaz Morvaridi

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Naheed AryaeianDepartment of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fahimeh AghSaveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran.
Ali NouriDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Seyed Mojtaba GhoreishyDepartment of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amirhossein Ramezani AhmadiIsfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Narges DehghansereshtNutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Narges SadeghiNutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Mehrnaz MorvaridiDepartment of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mehrnaz.morvaridi@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundZataria multiflora (Z. multiflora), also known as Shirazi thyme, is recognized for its medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Its longstanding use in traditional medicine for respiratory ailments underscores its significance. Given the widespread prevalence of respiratory disorders and inconclusive outcomes from previous trials, this research aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate Z. multiflora's impact on respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, and oxidative stress markers using available randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

methodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, a comprehensive search of published literature was conducted up to January 2024, encompassing databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central for Randomized Clinical Trials. The assessment of the quality of each eligible study was conducted using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The random-effects model was used in the meta-analysis to determine the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA (version 15).

resultsA total of 9 studies involving 394 participants were included. The administration of Z. multiflora showed significant effects on cough (WMD: -0.99; 95% CI: -1.66, -0.33; P = 0.003), day wheezing (WMD: -1.18; 95% CI: -1.44, -0.92; P < 0.001), night wheezing (WMD: -0.74; 95% CI: -1.09, -0.37; P < 0.001), chest wheezing (WMD: -1.15; 95% CI: -1.65, -0.64; P < 0.001), forced expiratory volume (WMD: 11.38; 95% CI: 7.40, 15.35; P < 0.001), forced vital capacity (WMD: 16.01; 95% CI: 12.26, 19.75; P < 0.001), and peak expiratory flow (WMD: 8.78; 95% CI: 4.13, 13.43; P < 0.001) compared to the control group. Additionally, Z. multiflora significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels (SMD: -1.54; 95% CI: -2.17, -0.90; P < 0.001) and increased catalase levels (SMD: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.46; P < 0.001).

conclusionZ. multiflora shows potential as a complementary treatment for respiratory diseases by improving symptoms, pulmonary functions, and reducing oxidative stress. However, due to the limited number of trials, findings should be interpreted cautiously, and further research is needed.

Indexed as

LamiaceaeOxidative StressPlant ExtractsHumansPhytotherapyRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRespiratory Function TestsPlant ExtractsOxidative stressRespiratory function testsRespiratory signs and symptomsThymus plantZataria multiflora

Identifiers

PMID40011883
PMCPMC11863436

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.