Cinnamon and Health

Abstract

Cinnamon has been used as a spice and as traditional herbal medicine for centuries. The available in vitro and animal in vivo evidence suggests that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, cardiovascular, cholesterol-lowering, and immunomodulatory effects. In vitro studies have demonstrated that cinnamon may act as an insulin mimetic, to potentiate insulin activity or to stimulate cellular glucose metabolism. Furthermore, animal studies have demonstrated strong hypoglycemic properties. However, there are only very few well-controlled clinical studies, a fact that limits the conclusions that can be made about the potential health benefits of cinnamon for free-living humans. The use of cinnamon as an adjunct to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most promising area, but further research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made.

Hydro-Alcoholic Cinnamon Extract, Enhances Glucose Transporter Isotype-4 Translocation from Intracellular Compartments into the Cytoplasmic Membrane of C2C12 Myotubes

“…The potential Insulino-mimetic activity, cellular glucose metabolism enhancement and hypoglycemic properties of cinnamon were reviewed by Gruenwald et al and Kirkham et al [28,29]. Cinnamon ingredients have been shown to enhance glucose metabolism via insulin signal transduction pathway in adipocyte cells and tissues [14,23,30].…”

Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities by ethanolic extract of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) leaf

“…This improper regulation leads to elevated postprandial blood glucose levels. Prolonged imbalanced homeostasis, for an extended time, results in hyperglycemia leading to onset of noninsulindependent type 2 diabetes [2] . Type 2 diabetes is complicated by several factors inherent to the disease process, such as insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, impaired insulin secretion, reduced insulin mediated glucose uptake, and utilization [2] .…”

“…Prolonged imbalanced homeostasis, for an extended time, results in hyperglycemia leading to onset of noninsulindependent type 2 diabetes [2] . Type 2 diabetes is complicated by several factors inherent to the disease process, such as insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, impaired insulin secretion, reduced insulin mediated glucose uptake, and utilization [2] . A sudden rise in blood glucose levels, causing hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients happens due to hydrolysis of starch by pancreatic 毩-amylase and uptake of glucose by intestinal 毩-glucosidases [3] .…”

In vitro inhibition activity of polyphenol-rich extracts from Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry (Clove) buds against carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas

“…Plant foods rich in polyphenolic fractions have been reported to cause insulin-like effects in glucose utilization [10] , act as good inhibitors of key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes [11,12] and lipid peroxidation in tissues [13,14] . It is well-known that phenolic compounds also contribute to quality of food in terms of modifying color, taste, aroma and flavour [15,16] .…”