Therapeutic Potential of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Extract to Mitigate Hyperglycemia

Abstract

Background:  Nutrition and health have become one of the most intriguing focuses in the world today. Technological advancement, nutritional imbalances and sedentary lifestyle have ascended numerous health issues worldwide. Scientific evidences have provided the chemo-preventive and chemotherapeutic role of dietary phytochemicals to cure these ailments. Cinnamon (Cinnamomumzeylanicum) has been utilized as a potential therapeutic agent in various cultures for centuries.

Objective:  Trans-cinnamaldehyde (3-phenyl-2-propanal) contributes as a major constituent of cinnamon bark oil approximately about 49.9-62.8% of the total amount and has hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and anticancer potential.

Methods:  The ethanolic and supercritical fluid extracts of cinnamon bark were subjected to in vivo modelling to evaluate the hypoglycemic potential of cinnamaldehyde. Purposely, efficacy trial was performed on normal and hyperglycemic Sprague dawleyrats for 8 weeks. Three types of diets i.e. normal (D₀), nutraceutical containing 0.5% conventional extract (D₁) and nutraceutical containing 0.1% supercritical fluid extract (D₂) were used throughout the study.

Results:  Feed & drink intake and body weight were increased during the trial. Serum analyses exhibited the maximum reduction 11.65% in glucose level in hyperglycemic rats as an effect of diet D₂ followed by D₁ which depicts 9.94% reduction. Nutraceutical diet D₂ also increased the insulin level up to 7.23% in hyperglycemic rats whereas this increment was 2.37% in normal rats.

Conclusion:  The current research helps us to conclude that cinnamon extract is effective against hyperglycemia.