In vitro anti-diabetic effects and phytochemical profiling of novel varieties of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (L.) extracts

Abstract

Background Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) is a leading metabolic disorder in the world. Anti-diabetic actions of phytochemicals from various medicinal herbs have been explored as an alternative therapy in the management of DMT2 due to adverse effects of synthetic drugs used in allopathic medicine. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential and phytochemical profiling were investigated in aqueous extracts of two new Cinnamomum zeylanicum accessions, namely C. zeylanicum Sri Wijaya (SW), C. zeylanicum Sri Gemunu (SG) and commercially available C. zeylanicum (CC). Methods Microwave Digestion (MD), Pressurized Water Extraction (PWE), Steam Distillation (SD), Solvent Extraction (SE), Decoction Water Extraction (DWE) and Infusion Water Extraction (IWE) methods were used to prepare Cinnamon quill extracts. Total phenolic content (TPC, Folin-Ciocalteu method) and Proanthocyanidin content (PC, vanillin assay), α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of Cinnamon extracts were determined spectrophotometrically. The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition were reported in terms of IC50 value. The phytochemical profiling was accomplished by GC-MS technique. Results and Discussion Lowest IC50 values were observed in PWE and DWE of SW. The highest PC and TPC were also observed in PWE and DWE of SW. Pressured water and decoctions are promising methods for the extraction of antidiabetic constituents from cinnamon. Benzoic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and 4-Allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol were identified as major compounds in SW extracts. These compounds are believed to be responsible for strong enzyme inhibitory activity of the extracts. Conclusions This is the first study to explore the use of pressured and decoctions water to extract anti-diabetic phytochemicals from cinnamon. The extensive metabolite profiling of novel SW and SG extracts and comparison of that with commercially available CC are reported for the first time in this study. The C. zeylanicum, SW accession holds some promise in the management of diabetes.

The Potential Role of Cinnamon in Human Health

“…In the water extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum prepared using high pressure and the decoction method, benzoic acid, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, trans-cinnamic acid, eugenol, and o-methoxy-cinnamaldehyde were found. These bioactive compounds extracted by this method have huge potential to inhibit α-glucosidase and control hyperglycemia [5]. Cinnamaldehyde is a predominant compound in the bark oil extracted from Cinnamomum zeylanicum.…”

“…The leaf oil contains mainly eugenol, whereas in the root bark oil the primary compound is camphor [4]. [5,6].…”

Antimicrobial potential of Indian Cinnamomum species

“…The straight, and cylindrical bole (30 – 80 cm in diameter) has been used in traditional system of medicine in India ( Kostermans, 1983 , Sriramavaratharajan and Murugan, 2018 ). The essential oils-rich extract (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, caryophyllene, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamic acid) possesses antimicrobial ( Vigila et al 2018 ), antidiabetic, wound healing, and antidepressant activities ( Wariyapperuma et al, 2020 , Singh et al, 2021 ). However, the volatile constituents of several Cinnamomum species grown in different countries have been characterized but, we report the distribution of essential oils in different parts (leaf, stem bark, stem wood, root, flower, fruit) of 15 Indian Cinnamomum species.…”

Comparative Metabolite Profiling and Fingerprinting of Medicinal Cinnamon Bark and Its Commercial Preparations via a Multiplex Approach of GC–MS, UV, and NMR Techniques

“…Cinnamon in modern medicine exhibit antitumor effects via dual mechanisms, i.e., upregulation of proapoptotic molecules and inhibition of NF-κ β and AP1 and their associated genes Bcl-2, BcL-xL, and survivin [ 5 ]. In addition, it exerts anti-diabetic effects via inhibition of α -amylase and α -glucosidase enzymes [ 11 ], recommended as flavor agents for patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus [ 12 ]. Hence, several products containing cinnamon as the major constituent are available commercially for several health benefits.…”