Potential of Cinnamon Dietary Supplementation in Controlling Diabetes: A Review

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes, also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition caused by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Although some people can overcome the symptoms by losing weight and following a healthy diet and exercise plan, most people with type 2 diabetes will have it for life. Therefore it is important to find any kind of controlling measure rather than taking drugs for life time. Studies have frequently focused on dietary components beneficial in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Recent studies have demonstrated that herbal products have beneficial effects in patients with diabetes by improving glucose and lipid metabolism, antioxidant status, and capillary function (Bailey et al., 1989) Cinnamon is one such a dietary component that has shown to have biologically active substances with insulin-mimetic properties. In vitro (Imparl-Radosevich et al., 1998 and Jarvill et a/.,2001) and in vivo studies (Cao et al., 2007 and Qin et al., 2003) have shown that cinnamon enhances glucose uptake by activating the insulin receptor kinase activity, auto-phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, and glycogen synthesis activity. The studies showed that a polyphenole in cinnamon, methylhydroxylchalcone polymer (MHCP), can reduce serum glucose of people with type 2 diabetes. MHCP has an insulin-like function at the insulin receptor of the body cells and in combination with insulin MHCP potentiates its effect. Additionally MHCP has positive effects on triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Cinnamon used as a spice has allergenic capabilities based on the content of essential oils that should not be under estimated. Pure cinnamaldehyde has sensitizing abilities and can cause allergic reactions like skin irritations. Aqueous extract from cinnamon is free from essential oil, but still contains the serum glucose decreasing MHCP in high concentration. Through this good digestibility and a high physiological effectiveness of aqueous extract of cinnamon. Long-term utilization with these extracts additionally to the basic therapy of control of diabetes mellitus type 2 is possible.