Effect of Aqueous Cinnamon Extract on the Postprandial Glycemia Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Nutrients. 2022;14(8)
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is characterised by high levels of blood glucose due to relative insulin deficiency caused through pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. The use of traditional plants as complementary therapies has been growing due to their effect on health, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as their effect against diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the effect of aqueous cinnamon extract (6 g cinnamon burmannii/100 mL) on postprandial glycaemia levels in adults with DM2 and (2) the total phenols content and antioxidant evaluation. This study is a single-blind randomised controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 18) or control group (n = 18). The control group was given only a glucose solution for an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the intervention group was given a glucose solution for an OGTT immediately followed by a cinnamon aqueous extract. Results show that the ingestion of aqueous cinnamon extract (6 g) has no significant effect on postprandial glycaemia over time in patients with DM2 compared with the control group. However, the phenol content analysis showed that cinnamon extract possesses a considerable antioxidant activity and inhibition capacity of reactive oxygen species. Authors conclude by recommending the intake of aqueous cinnamon extract as a source of natural antioxidants due to its high content in these compounds and respective antioxidant activity.

Abstract

Cinnamon is a spice used in traditional cuisine that has been investigated due to hypoglycemic properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous cinnamon extract on postprandial glycemia levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) adults. This clinical trial enrolled 36 adults with DM2, randomly allocated in two groups: the control group (n = 18) took only an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the intervention group (n = 18) took OGTT immediately followed by aqueous cinnamon extract (6 g/100 mL) ingestion. Blood glucose levels were measured on fasting and after 30, 60, 90 and 120 min in both groups. The chemical analysis of the aqueous cinnamon extract included total phenols content determination and antioxidant activity assessment through FRAP and DPPH methods. The data reveal that aqueous cinnamon extract ingestion did not show a significant difference in the incremental area under the curve (p = 0.834), maximum glucose concentration (p = 0.527) and glucose concentration variation (p = 0.873) compared with the control group. Cinnamon extract possess a total phenol content of 1554.9 mg/L gallic acid equivalent and a strong antioxidant capacity, revealed by the DPPH (5125.0 µmol Trolox/L) and FRAP (3658.8 µmol Trolox/L) tests. Aqueous cinnamon extract did not significantly influence postprandial glucose response in diabetic patients during an OGTT.

Lifestyle medicine

Fundamental Clinical Imbalances : Hormonal
Patient Centred Factors : Mediators/Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Nutrients
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition
Functional Laboratory Testing : Blood

Methodological quality

Jadad score : 3
Allocation concealment : Yes

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