Effects of a novel formulation of essential oils on glucose-insulin metabolism in diabetic and hypertensive rats: a pilot study

Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND

Previous studies of patients with type 2 diabetes showed that cinnamon lowers fasting serum glucose, triacylglycerol, and LDL- and total cholesterol concentrations.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to study the effect of cinnamon on the rate of gastric emptying, the postprandial blood glucose response, and satiety in healthy subjects.

DESIGN

The gastric emptying rate (GER) was measured by using standardized real-time ultrasonography. Fourteen healthy subjects were assessed by using a crossover trial. The subjects were examined after an 8-h fast if they had normal fasting blood glucose concentrations. GER was calculated as the percentage change in the antral cross-sectional area 15-90 min after ingestion of 300 g rice pudding (GER1) or 300 g rice pudding and 6 g cinnamon (GER2).

RESULTS

The median value of GER1 was 37%, and that of GER2 was 34.5%. The addition of cinnamon to the rice pudding significantly delayed gastric emptying and lowered the postprandial glucose response (P < 0.05 for both). The reduction in the postprandial blood glucose concentration was much more noticeable and pronounced than was the lowering of the GER. The effect of cinnamon on satiety was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The intake of 6 g cinnamon with rice pudding reduces postprandial blood glucose and delays gastric emptying without affecting satiety. Inclusion of cinnamon in the diet lowers the postprandial glucose response, a change that is at least partially explained by a delayed GER.

Pharmaceutical and therapeutic Potentials of essential oils and their individual volatile constituents: a review

Essential oils and their volatile constituents are used widely to prevent and treat human disease. The possible role and mode of action of these natural products is discussed with regard to the prevention and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis and thrombosis, as well as their bioactivity as antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidants and antidiabetic agents. Their application as natural skin penetration enhancers for transdermal drug delivery and the therapeutic properties of essential oils in aroma and massage therapy will also be outlined.

Hypoglycaemic activity of two spices extracts: Rhus coriaria L. and Bunium persicum Boiss

The hypoglycaemic efficacy of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and black cumin (Bunium persicum Boiss) extracts were investigated through inhibition of a glycoside hydrolase: alpha-amylase. On the basis of our result ethyl acetate extract of sumac may have interest in the treatment and prevention of hyperglycaemia, diabetes and obesity, with an IC50 value of 28.7 microg mL-1.

Studies on the in vivo hypoglycemic activities of two medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes in Jordanian traditional medicine following intranasal administration

The claimed hypoglycemic activities of Paronychia argentea Lam. (Caryophyllaceae) and Teucrium polium L. (Labiatae), two traditionally widely used medicinal plants in Jordan were evaluated using normoglycemic and alloxan induced hyperglycemic rabbits by intranasal administration of the plant crude extracts (10%) in a vehicle containing 5% (w/w) Pluronic F127. No significant difference was observed between the extract treated and non-treated control animals receiving only water.