Anti-diabetic effect of cinnamon extract on blood glucose in db/db mice

J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Mar 8;104(1-2):119-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.08.059. Epub 2005 Oct 5.

Abstract

The anti-diabetic effect of Cinnamomi cassiae extract (Cinnamon bark: Lauraceae) in a type II diabetic animal model (C57BIKsj db/db) was studied. Cinnamon extract was administered at different dosages (50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. It was found that blood glucose concentration is significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.001) with the most in the 200 mg/kg group compared with the control. In addition, serum insulin levels and HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher (P<0.01) and the concentration of triglyceride, total cholesterol and intestinal alpha-glycosidase activity were significantly lower after 6 weeks of the administration. These results suggest that cinnamon extract has a regulatory role in blood glucose level and lipids and it may also exert a blood glucose-suppressing effect by improving insulin sensitivity or slowing absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects*
  • Blood Glucose / physiology
  • Cinnamomum zeylanicum*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Plant Extracts