Effect of boiled and macerated cinnamon sticks and powder on diabetic and biochemical profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

Aim: We examined possible impact of cinnamon on blood glucose and some biochemical parameters among type 2 diabetic patients treated with cinnamon in Najaf.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Materials and

Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes were received cinnamon (boiled branches, soaked branches, boiled powder and soaked powder) twice a day after meals. Fasting and random blood glucose in addition to urine biochemical markers; glucose, ketones, specific gravity, total protein, were measured.

RESULTS

Results

Our study support previous ones regarding the beneficial effect of cinnamon in lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. However, there are several points that our study highlighted them. Firstly, it more effective in lowering fasting more than random blood glucose. Secondly, soaked parts are more effective than boiled parts. In addition, the only urine biochemical parameters that were affected by cinnamon (reduced urine concentration) were urine glucose and urine ketones with no effect on urine pH, specific gravity or total proteins. Further studies are required to extend the duration of treatment to a longer period, scheduling concentration series of cinnamon and using double blind study including placebo.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions

Fasting blood glucose, urine glucose and urine ketones were shown to be reduced by the treatment with cinnamon, with soaking more than boiling and branches more than powder. In conclusion, soaked cinnamon has potentially more effective than boiled on lowering fasting blood level.