The effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background and purposeMelatonin supplementation has shown potential benefits in the management of diabetes in clinical trials; however, prior meta-analyses have not specifically focused on individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigates the efficacy of melatonin supplementa...

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Main Authors: Xutong Lv, Huiqi Sun, Shuang Ai, Dongbin Zhang, Hongxiu Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1572613/full
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author Xutong Lv
Huiqi Sun
Shuang Ai
Dongbin Zhang
Hongxiu Lu
author_facet Xutong Lv
Huiqi Sun
Shuang Ai
Dongbin Zhang
Hongxiu Lu
author_sort Xutong Lv
collection DOAJ
description Background and purposeMelatonin supplementation has shown potential benefits in the management of diabetes in clinical trials; however, prior meta-analyses have not specifically focused on individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigates the efficacy of melatonin supplementation in improving glycemic control among patients with T2DM by systematically reviewing and analyzing data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase from their inception to September 2024. RCTs evaluating the effects of melatonin supplementation in adults diagnosed with T2DM were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data were synthesized and analyzed using RevMan version 5.3.ResultsA total of nine RCTs were included in the meta-analysis (n=9). These studies collectively involved 427 participants. Melatonin supplementation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels compared to placebo [mean difference [MD]: -0.65; 95% CI: -1.28, -0.02; P = 0.04], However, no significant effect was observed on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels [mean difference: -6.40; 95% CI: -15.79, 2.99; P = 0.18].ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that melatonin supplementation significantly reduces HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to placebo, indicating potential benefits for long-term glycemic control. However, no significant effect was observed on FPG levels.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024629557.
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spelling doaj-art-e998f6a4212b421c90dd76efc970c12a2025-08-20T02:43:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-07-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15726131572613The effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetesXutong Lv0Huiqi Sun1Shuang Ai2Dongbin Zhang3Hongxiu Lu4Master Degree Candidate, First School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, ChinaMaster Degree Candidate, First School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Jinan, ChinaBackground and purposeMelatonin supplementation has shown potential benefits in the management of diabetes in clinical trials; however, prior meta-analyses have not specifically focused on individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigates the efficacy of melatonin supplementation in improving glycemic control among patients with T2DM by systematically reviewing and analyzing data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase from their inception to September 2024. RCTs evaluating the effects of melatonin supplementation in adults diagnosed with T2DM were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data were synthesized and analyzed using RevMan version 5.3.ResultsA total of nine RCTs were included in the meta-analysis (n=9). These studies collectively involved 427 participants. Melatonin supplementation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels compared to placebo [mean difference [MD]: -0.65; 95% CI: -1.28, -0.02; P = 0.04], However, no significant effect was observed on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels [mean difference: -6.40; 95% CI: -15.79, 2.99; P = 0.18].ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that melatonin supplementation significantly reduces HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to placebo, indicating potential benefits for long-term glycemic control. However, no significant effect was observed on FPG levels.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024629557.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1572613/fullmelatoninfasting plasma glucoseglycosylated hemoglobintype 2 diabetes mellitusT2DM
spellingShingle Xutong Lv
Huiqi Sun
Shuang Ai
Dongbin Zhang
Hongxiu Lu
The effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
Frontiers in Endocrinology
melatonin
fasting plasma glucose
glycosylated hemoglobin
type 2 diabetes mellitus
T2DM
title The effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
title_full The effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
title_fullStr The effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
title_full_unstemmed The effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
title_short The effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
title_sort effect of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
topic melatonin
fasting plasma glucose
glycosylated hemoglobin
type 2 diabetes mellitus
T2DM
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1572613/full
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