SAMe Research
40 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
Comparative efficacy and tolerability of nutraceuticals for depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Cheng YC et al. • Psychological medicine (2025)
This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
- Adjunctive nutraceuticals consistently showed better efficacy than antidepressants (ADT) alone in outcomes including SMD, remission, and response.
- This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions in Milder Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Urata M et al. • Neuropsychopharmacology reports (2025)
This review demonstrates that certain supplements, such as eicosapentaenoic acids and Rhodiola rosea, are therapeutic options for mild depression.
- A meta-analysis found no significant difference in response rates between the two treatments (risk ratio [RR] = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.78-1.18) or dropout rates (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.62-1.88).
- Eicosapentaenoic acid and Rhodiola rosea demonstrated significant improvements in depressive symptoms compared to placebo.
- Conversely, S-adenosylmethionine did not produce significant improvements relative to placebo.
Comparison of concurrent, resistance, or aerobic training on body fat loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lafontant K et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2025)
While there are no differences in percent body fat loss between exercise modes, AT and CT are more effective than RT alone in reducing absolute fat mass; however, RT neither improved nor impeded fat mass loss when incorporated into CT.
- CT reduced significantly more fat mass compared to RT (MD: -1.09 kg [95% CI = -0.27 to -1.91]; p = 0.009).
- No significant differences were found between CT, AT, and RT in altering body fat percentage (p > 0.05).
- Under conditions where AT, RT, and CT workloads were matched, similar fat mass, body mass, body fat percentage, and FFM changes were observed between exercise modalities (p > 0.05).
Anticoagulation Strategies Following Breakthrough Ischemic Stroke While on Direct Anticoagulants: A Meta-Analysis
Romoli M et al. • Neurology (2025)
Keeping the same DOAC and switching to another DOAC, independently from mechanism, had similar rates of primary and secondary outcomes.
- We retrieved 2,171 results, with 8 observational studies reaching quantitative synthesis (n = 14,307 patients, mean age = 75 years, 48% female).
- Switching to warfarin was associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke compared with keeping the same DOAC (RR 1.80, 95% CI 1.42-2.29, I2 = 0%, nstudies = 5) or changing DOAC dosage (RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.20-2.45, I2 = 0%, nstudies = 4).
- Switching to warfarin was also associated with higher ICH rates compared with keeping the same DOAC (RR 2.90, 95% CI 2.01-4.18, I2 = 0%, nstudies = 5) and DOAC-to-DOAC switch (RR 3.25, 95% CI 2.13-4.96, I2 = 0%; nstudies = 5).
Optimal duration of antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia in adults: a systematic review and duration-effect meta-analysis
Furukawa Y et al. • BMJ open (2023)
Shorter treatment duration (3-5 days) probably offers the optimal balance between efficacy and treatment burden for treating CAP in adults if they achieved clinical stability.
- We included nine trials (2399 patients with a mean (SD) age of 61.2 (22.1); 39% women).
- The weighted average percentage of the primary outcome in the 10-day treatment arms was 68%.
- Using that average, the absolute clinical improvement rates of the following durations were: 3-day treatment 75% (95% CI: 68% to 81%), 5-day treatment 72% (95% CI: 66% to 78%) and 7-day treatment 69% (95% CI: 61% to 76%).
Needling Point Location Used in Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Lee B et al. • JAMA network open (2023)
In this NMA, sham acupuncture needling at the same points as those in acupuncture was not a true placebo control for assessing the efficacy of acupuncture for CLBP and might underestimate the outcome of acupuncture in clinical settings.
- In comparison with SATS, acupuncture was significantly associated with improvements in both pain (SMD, -0.33; 95% CI, -0.52 to -0.15) and function outcomes (SMD, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.25 to -0.02); however, there were no differences between acupuncture and SATV.
- In comparison with SATS, SATV was significantly associated with better pain (SMD, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.88 to -0.03) and function outcomes (SMD, -0.30; 95% CI, -0.56 to -0.05).
- In this NMA, sham acupuncture needling at the same points as those in acupuncture was not a true placebo control for assessing the efficacy of acupuncture for CLBP and might underestimate the outcome of acupuncture in clinical settings.
Adherence to the ultra-processed dietary pattern and risk of depressive outcomes: Findings from the NutriNet Brasil cohort study and an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Werneck AO et al. • Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2024)
A higher adherence to the ultra-processed dietary pattern was associated with a higher risk of developing depressive outcomes in the NutriNet Brasil cohort and in the meta-analysis.
- In the adjusted model, each 10% increase in the dietary share of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 10% increase in the hazard of incident cases of depressive symptoms (HR:1.10; 95%CI: 1.07-1.14).
- In our meta-analysis of six prospective studies, high versus low exposure to ultra-processed foods was associated with a summary hazard ratio of depressive outcomes of 1.32; 95%CI: 1.19-1.46; I2: 71%.
- A higher adherence to the ultra-processed dietary pattern was associated with a higher risk of developing depressive outcomes in the NutriNet Brasil cohort and in the meta-analysis.
Efficacy of osteoporosis pharmacological treatments in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Beaudart C et al. • Aging clinical and experimental research (2023)
Medications used in the management of osteoporosis in women appear to provide similar benefits in men with osteoporosis.
- Denososumab (k = 2, n = 242), Teriparatide (k = 2, n = 309) and Abaloparatide (k = 2, n = 248) also produced significant improvement of all sites BMD compared to placebo.
- Medications used in the management of osteoporosis in women appear to provide similar benefits in men with osteoporosis.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of S-Adenosylmethionine on Cognition in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Zhao Y et al. • Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD (2023)
SAM supplementation showed no significant improvement in cognition.
- SAM supplementation showed no significant improvement in cognition.
- Therefore, further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of SAM supplementation.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension
Lan J et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2015)
This study indicates that berberine has comparable therapeutic effect on type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia and hypertension with no serious side effect.
- This study indicates that berberine has comparable therapeutic effect on type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia and hypertension with no serious side effect.
- Considering the relatively low cost compared with other first-line medicine and treatment, berberine might be a good alternative for low socioeconomic status patients to treat type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia, hypertension over long time period.
- Due to overall limited quality of the included studies, the therapeutic benefit of berberine can be substantiated to a limited degree.
Pharmacological interventions for treating intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Walker KF et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)
When compared with placebo, UDCA administered to women with ICP probably shows a reduction in pruritus.
- The evidence for fetal distress and stillbirth were uncertain, due to serious limitations in study design and imprecision (risk ratio (RR) 0.70, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.40; 6 trials, 944 women; RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.37; 6 trials, 955 women; GRADE very low certainty).
- When compared with placebo, UDCA administered to women with ICP probably shows a reduction in pruritus.
- However the size of the effect is small and for most pregnant women and clinicians, the reduction may fall below the minimum clinically worthwhile effect.
Comparative systematic review and meta-analysis of 1- to 5-mm versus 6- to 9-mm adenomas on the risk of metachronous advanced colorectal neoplasia
Jung YS et al. • Gastrointestinal endoscopy (2020)
Among the HRA and LRA groups, those with diminutive NAAs had a lower risk of metachronous ACRN than those with small NAAs.
- The LRA-2 group had a higher risk of metachronous ACRN than the LRA-1 group (risk ratio, 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.81).
- Additionally, the HRA-2 and HRA-3 groups had a higher risk of metachronous ACRN than the HRA-1 group (hazard ratios [HRs], 1.51 [95% CI, 1.002-2.28] and 1.92 [95% CI, 1.11-3.33], respectively).
- However, there was no significant difference between the HRA-1 versus LRA-2 groups (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, .78-1.94).
SAMe for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Galizia I et al. • Journal of Psychopharmacology (2016)
SAMe was superior to placebo and comparable to antidepressants.
- Superior to placebo
- Comparable to tricyclic antidepressants
- Faster onset than some antidepressants
Is There a Bias Towards Males in the Diagnosis of Autism? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Cruz S et al. • Neuropsychology review (2025)
This meta-analysis examined the effects of SAMe.
- Ten studies were included.
- Females used more compensation and masking camouflage strategies than males.
- The results support the argument of a bias in clinical procedures towards males and the importance of considering a 'female autism phenotype'-potentially involving camouflaging-in the diagnostic process.© 2024.
Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Associated With Antiseizure Medications and Their Indications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Berry-Noronha A et al. • Neurology (2025)
The odds of small-for-gestational age differed across ASMs, with signals pointing to an association with clonazepam, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, and zonisamide.
- Meta-analysis examining SAMe efficacy
- Published in Neurology (2025)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Day-case knee and hip replacement
French JMR et al. • The bone & joint journal (2024)
Within the limitations of the literature, in particular the substantial risk of selection bias, the outcomes following day-case knee and hip replacement appear not to be inferior to those following an inpatient stay.
- Day-case patients were a mean of 2.08 years younger (95% CI 1.05 to 3.12), were more likely to be male (odds ratio (OR) 1.3 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.41)), and had a lower mean BMI and American Society of Anesthesiologists grades compared with inpatients.
- The overall rate of successful same-day discharge for day-case surgery was 85% (95% CI 81 to 88).
- Within the limitations of the literature, in particular the substantial risk of selection bias, the outcomes following day-case knee and hip replacement appear not to be inferior to those following an inpatient stay.
Efficacy and acceptability of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) for depressed patients: A systematic review and meta- analysis
Limveeraprajak N et al. • Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry (2024)
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- Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that SAMe monotherapy may offer a moderate therapeutic benefit in alleviating depressive symptoms.
- Considering its favorable acceptability profile, SAMe monotherapy should be considered as a treatment option for patients with depression.
- However, uncertainties regarding its efficacy as an adjunct to AD and its comparative efficacy with ADs remain unresolved.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc.
The efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Tan MY et al. • Frontiers in public health (2023)
The results showed that CAM therapies were able to alleviate NVP.
- The acupuncture treatment was superior to conventional medicine at the effective rate [RR = 1.71, 95% CI (1.02, 2.86), P = 0.042; Low-quality evidence].
- Ginger had more significant effects than conventional medicine at the Rhodes index [WMD = -0.52, 95% CI (-0.79, -0.24), P ≤ 0.001; Moderate-quality evidence] and it had the same effect as drugs to relieve vomiting [SMD = 0.30, 95% CI (-0.12, 0.73), P = 0.160; Low-quality evidence].
- Compared with placebo, ginger had a higher effective rate [RR = 1.68, 95% CI (1.09, 2.57), P = 0.018; Low-quality evidence], and lower Visual analog scale (VAS) of Nausea [WMD = -1.21, 95% CI (-2.34, -0.08), P = 0.036; Low-quality evidence].
Revision dacryocystorhinostomy: systematic review and meta-analysis
Van Swol JM et al. • Orbit (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (2023)
Regarding success of re-operation, surgeons can use the method they are most comfortable with to perform DCR revisions.
- Regarding success of re-operation, surgeons can use the method they are most comfortable with to perform DCR revisions.
- However, primary transcanalicular laser DCRs should be revised, if necessary, using the external approach.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Behavioral Interventions for Smokeless Tobacco Cessation
Nethan ST et al. • Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (2020)
Behavioral interventions as a single modality are effective in SLT cessation, both in the developed and developing countries.
- Behavioral interventions showed overall efficacy in SLT cessation in adults (RR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.32 to 1.94) both in the developed (RR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.63) and developing (RR = 2.79, 95% CI = 2.32 to 3.25) countries.
- However, these interventions did not prove effective for SLT cessation among youth overall (RR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.73 to 1.41), either in the developed (RR = 1.39, 95% CI = 0.58 to 2.21) or in the developing (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.68 to 1.07) countries.
- Behavioral interventions as a single modality are effective in SLT cessation, both in the developed and developing countries.