Encapsulation of cinnamon oil in whey protein counteracts the disturbances in biochemical parameters, gene expression, and histological picture of the liver and pancreas of diabetic rats

Antidiabetic and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cinnamomum cassia Oil in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus presents a great diversity of treatments that cause adverse effects; therefore, plants are a source of compounds that may have fewer adverse effects; Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) has compounds with potential antidiabetic activity. The objective was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of C. cassia oil (CCO) and its impact on oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Five groups were evaluated: (1) sham (SH), (2) 300 mg/kg CCO (CCO), (3) diabetic (D) induced with alloxan, (4) D + 300 mg/kg of CCO (D + CCO), and (5) D + 500 mg/kg of metformin (D + MET); all were treated for 5 days. CCO did not show alteration in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) vs. SH. D + CCO vs. D significantly reduced glucose (333 ± 109 vs. 458 ± 81 mg/dL), ALT (66 ± 15 vs. 160 ± 54 U/L), AST (119 ± 26 vs. 243 ± 104 U/L), and blood urea nitrogen (18.8 ± 2.3 vs. 29.2 ± 6.9 mg/dL). No significant changes were observed in D + CCO vs. D in malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), whereas a significant reduction in MDA and GSH was achieved in D + MET, with an increase in SOD. There was a reduction in Rela and Gpx in D + CCO and D + MET vs. D. CCO has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects and reduces ALT, AST, and BUN levels.

Spicing Up Meat Preservation: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Essential Oil in Meat-Based Functional Foods-A Five-Year Review

Today, in the modern consumer era, we are facing a significant change in terms of preferences and behaviour. This tendency is not only a basic desire, but rather a significant social and cultural movement that exerts a tremendous influence on the food industry and correlated sectors. In this direction, food authorities and experts have thoroughly evaluated the practicality of employing natural preservation methods to enhance the quality and safety of foodstuffs, while preserving their nutritional and sensory attributes. Given this context, the development of meat products enhanced with Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil (CZEO) poses promising avenues, such as extended shelf-life due to its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. CZEO also has many health benefits, rendering it as a promising ingredient in functional meat product formulations. Conversely, challenges such as higher associated costs, sensory interactions, and variability arise. Hence, the aim of this review is to offer a novel critical perspective on CZEO's potential application as a functional ingredient in meat products formulations and to address the inherent associated challenges, based on the last five years of scholarly publications.

Effect of counseling model on diabetic women regarding sexual dysfunction: a quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Complications of diabetes in women have adverse effects on their self-image, quality of life, health, and other social relationships, thereby leading to sexual dysfunction. maternity nurse care can play a critical role in assessing the knowledge about needs for sexual health.

AIM

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of the counseling model on female patients with diabetes regarding sexual dysfunction.

METHOD

A quasi-experimental research design was used to conduct the study at the diabetic and obstetric outpatient clinic in 2 hospitals (Al Salam Port Said General Hospital, Elzohor General Hospital), and in five centers in Port Said City (El-Kuwait Center, Othman Ibnafan Center, El-arab 1 center, El-manakh center, El-arab2 center). A purposive sample of 178 female diabetic patients was included in the study. Two tools were used for collecting data consisted of; (1 interview questionnaire sheet) including personal characteristics, medical history, and present sexual problem of the studied female patients, (and 2 female sexual function index (FSFI).

RESULTS

the current study revealed that there was a high statistical difference between female sexual function in post with mean ± SD (23.3 ± 4.1) compared to pre-educational intervention with mean ± SD (19.5 ± 3.7), while there was a high statistically significant difference among pre- & post-program application regarding female sexual function index (p > 0.001).

CONCLUSION

the counseling model had a positive effect in improving the sexual function among female patients with diabetes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER (TRN)

The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University (code number: NUR 12/9/2021-6).

Comparative Screening of the Liver Gene Expression Profiles from Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Rat Models

Experimental animal models of diabetes can be useful for identifying novel targets related to disease, for understanding its physiopathology, and for evaluating emerging antidiabetic treatments. This study aimed to characterize two rat diabetes models: HFD + STZ, a high-fat diet (60% fat) combined with streptozotocin administration (STZ, 35 mg/kg BW), and a model with a single STZ dose (65 mg/kg BW) in comparison with healthy rats. HFD + STZ- induced animals demonstrated a stable hyperglycemia range (350-450 mg/dL), whereas in the STZ-induced rats, we found glucose concentration values with a greater dispersion, ranging from 270 to 510 mg/dL. Moreover, in the HFD + STZ group, the AUC value of the insulin tolerance test (ITT) was found to be remarkably augmented by 6.2-fold higher than in healthy animals (33,687.0 ± 1705.7 mg/dL/min vs. 5469.0 ± 267.6, respectively), indicating insulin resistance (IR). In contrast, a more moderate AUC value was observed in the STZ group (19,059.0 ± 3037.4 mg/dL/min) resulting in a value 2.5-fold higher than the average exhibited by the control group. After microarray experiments on liver tissue from all animals, we analyzed genes exhibiting a fold change value in gene expression <-2 or >2 (p-value <0.05). We found 27,686 differentially expressed genes (DEG), identified the top 10 DEGs and detected 849 coding genes that exhibited opposite expression patterns between both diabetes models (491 upregulated genes in the STZ model and 358 upregulated genes in HFD + STZ animals). Finally, we performed an enrichment analysis of the 849 selected genes. Whereas in the STZ model we found cellular pathways related to lipid biosynthesis and metabolism, in the HFD + STZ model we identified pathways related to immunometabolism. Some phenotypic differences observed in the models could be explained by transcriptomic results; however, further studies are needed to corroborate these findings. Our data confirm that the STZ and the HFD + STZ models are reliable experimental models for human T1D and T2D, respectively. These results also provide insight into alterations in the expression of specific liver genes and could be utilized in future studies focusing on diabetes complications associated with impaired liver function.

Hepatoprotective effect of Artemisia Argyi essential oil on bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity via inhibition of ferroptosis in mice

The environmental pollutant bisphenol A (BPA), used in the manufacture of plastic packaging materials for various diets, is widely distributed in the environment and causes severe hepatotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress. Artemisia argyi essential oil (AAEO), a volatile oil component isolated from Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot, has pharmacological effects, especially for hepatoprotective actions. However, the potential effect of AAEO in BPA induced hepatotoxicity has not been characterized. First, we analyzed the chemical composition in AAEO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Herein, we investigated the effect of AAEO on hepatic metabolic changes in mice exposed to BPA. Results showed that compared with the BPA group, AAEO could reduce the level of liver function enzymes in BPA mice serum, and ameliorate hepatic lesions and fibrosis. Additionally, 20 differential metabolites screened by metabolomics were mainly involved in the reprogramming of glutathione metabolism, purine metabolism, and polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis. Moreover, AAEO could reduce hepatic ferroptosis induced by BPA, as demonstrated by reducing xanthine oxidase activity, up-regulating the activities of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), superoxide dismutase, and catalase and the expression of SLC7A11 to promote the glutathione synthetic, while inhibiting transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) expression to reduce the accumulation of Fe2+ in cells. Therefore, our study identified AAEO as a hepatic protectant against BPA-induced hepatotoxicity by reversing the occurrence of ferroptosis.

Cinnamon oil solid self-microemulsion mediates chronic mild stress-induced depression in mice by modulating monoamine neurotransmitters, corticosterone, inflammation cytokines, and intestinal flora

Cinnamon oil (CO) is a classic Chinese medicine with excellent soothing effects on exhaustion, weakness and depression. Cinnamaldehyde is the main active ingredient of cinnamic oil. Although CO have antidepression-like effects, limited information is available. Furthermore, the disadvantages of CO, such as low oral availability and difficult portability, limit its development. In this study, a Cinnamon Oil Solid Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System (CO-S-SME) was designed, prepared. In addition, we explored the effects and mechanisms of CO-S-SME on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression-like behavior, monoamine neurotransmitters, inflammatory factors, intestinal flora in mice. Mice were subjected CUMS to establish the depression model. The antidepressant effect of CO-S-SME was evaluated by behavioral tests. In addition, the expression levels of neurotransmitters, corticosterone (CORT) and inflammatory factors in CUMS mice were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, we explored the effects of CO-S-SME on the diversity and richness of intestinal flora of mice in each group. Behavioral tests showed that CO-S-SME could effectively improve depression-like behaviors in CUMS mice. Specifically, CO-S-SME treatment effectively increased neurotransmitter levels and reduced the expressions of corticosterone and inflammatory factors in CUMS mice. CO-S-SME also changed the intestinal flora composition, decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, reduced relative abundances of Lactobacillus, modulated Alpha diversity and beta diversity. These results suggest that CO-S-SME an act as a good antidepressant, exhibiting effects via monoamine neurotransmitters, CORT, inflammation cytokines, and intestinal flora.

Cinnamon: an aromatic condiment applicable to chronic kidney disease

Cinnamon, a member of the Lauraceae family, has been widely used as a spice and traditional herbal medicine for centuries and has shown beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, its effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention for chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unproven. The bioactive compounds within cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate, can mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, gut dysbiosis, and dyslipidemia, which are common complications in patients with CKD. In this narrative review, we assess the mechanisms by which cinnamon may alleviate complications observed in CKD and the possible role of this spice as an additional nutritional strategy for this patient group.

The Therapeutic Roles of Cinnamaldehyde against Cardiovascular Diseases

Evidence from epidemiological studies has demonstrated that the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) increase year by year, which pose a great threat on social economy and human health worldwide. Due to limited therapeutic benefits and associated adverse effects of current medications, there is an urgent need to uncover novel agents with favorable safety and efficacy. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a bioactive phytochemical isolated from the stem bark of Chinese herbal medicine Cinnamon and has been suggested to possess curative roles against the development of CVDs. This integrated review intends to summarize the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic features of CA and discuss the recent advances in underlying mechanisms and potential targets responsible for anti-CVD properties of CA. The CA-related cardiovascular protective mechanisms could be attributed to the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, improvement of lipid and glucose metabolism, regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, suppression of cardiac fibrosis, and platelet aggregation and promotion of vasodilation and angiogenesis. Furthermore, CA is likely to inhibit CVD progression via affecting other possible processes including autophagy and ER stress regulation, gut microbiota and immune homeostasis, ion metabolism, ncRNA expression, and TRPA1 activation. Collectively, experiments reported previously highlight the therapeutic effects of CA and clinical trials are advocated to offer scientific basis for the compound future applied in clinical practice for CVD prophylaxis and treatment.

Effects of cinnamon supplementation on lipid profiles among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Studies in animals and humans have reported numerous beneficial effects of cinnamon. However, its hypolipidemic efficacy in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders is still controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the lipid-regulating effects and safety of cinnamon in a population with MetS and related disorders.

METHODS

Studies that met the inclusion criteria were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Randomized placebo-controlled trials of cinnamon or its extracts in the treatment of MetS and related metabolic diseases were the main eligibility criteria. The Cochrane Handbook was used to guide the study selection, quality assessment, and data analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata 15.0.

RESULTS

Twelve studies involving 773 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The overall results showed that cinnamon could significantly reduce total cholesterol (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -0.19 mmol/L [-7.34 mg/dL]; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.24, -0.14 [-9.27, -5.41]), triglyceride (WMD: -0.10 mmol/L [-8.85 mg/dL]; 95% CI: -0.16, -0.04 [-14.16, -3.54]), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: -0.16 mmol/L [-6.18 mg/dL]; 95% CI: -0.20, -0.11 [-7.72, -4.25]). In the subgroup analysis, cinnamon did not exhibit a significant effect on lipid profiles in European and American patients. Larger doses of cinnamon tended to exhibit better regulation of lipid profiles and high-dose cinnamon (≥1.5 g/d) significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 0.07 mmol/L [2.70 mg/dL]; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.11 [1.16, 4.25]).

CONCLUSION

The current evidence shows that cinnamon can regulate lipid profiles in patients with metabolic disorders.

Efficacy of ginsenoside Rg3 nanoparticles against Ehrlich solid tumor growth in mice

Solid tumors are fairly common and face many clinical difficulties since they are hardly surgically resectable and broadly do not respond to radiation and chemotherapy. The current study aimed to fabricate ginsenoside Rg3 nanoparticles (Rg3-NPs) and evaluate their antitumor effect against Ehrlich solid tumors (EST) in mice. Rg3-NPs were fabricated using whey protein isolates (WPI), maltodextrin (MD), and gum Arabic (GA). EST was developed by the injection of mice with Ehrlich ascites cells (2.5 × 10⁶). The mice were divided into a control group, EST group, and the EST groups that were treated orally 2 weeks for with normal Rg3 (3 mg/kg b.w.), Rg3-NPs at a low dose (3 mg/kg b.w.), and Rg3-NPs at a high dose (6 mg/kg b.w.). Serum and solid tumors were collected for different assays. The results revealed that synthesized Rg3-NPs showed a spherical shape with an average particle size of 20 nm and zeta potential of -5.58 mV. The in vivo study revealed that EST mice showed a significant increase in AFP, Casp3, TNF-α, MMP-9, VEGF, MDA, and DNA damage accompanied by a significant decrease in SOD and GPx. Treatment with Rg3 or Rg3-NPs decreased the tumor weight and size and induced a significant improvement in all the biochemical parameters. Rg3-NPs were more effective than Rg3, and the improvement was dose-dependent. It could be concluded that fabrication of Rg3-NPs enhanced the protective effect against EST development which may be due to the synergistic effect of Rg3 and MD, GA, and WPI.

Antidiabetic Potential of Volatile Cinnamon Oil: A Review and Exploration of Mechanisms Using In Silico Molecular Docking Simulations

Cinnamon has been used as a flavoring and medicinal agent for centuries. Much research has focused on cinnamon bark powder, which contains antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and small amounts of essential oil. However, isolated and concentrated cinnamon essential oil may also have important medicinal qualities, particularly in antidiabetic therapy. Some of the most common essential oil constituents identified in the literature include cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and beta-caryophyllene. Due to their high concentration in cinnamon essential oil, these constituents are hypothesized to have the most significant physiological activity. Here, we present a brief review of literature on cinnamon oil and its constituents as they relate to glucose metabolism and diabetic pathogenesis. We also present molecular docking simulations of these cinnamon essential oil constituents (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, beta-caryophyllene) that suggest interaction with several key enzymes in glucometabolic pathways.

Bacillus toyonensis SAU-19 Ameliorates Hepatic Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet/Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Insulin resistance (IR) is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study was performed to investigate the antidiabetic effect of Bacillus toyonensis SAU-19 and its possible mechanisms of action in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thirty SPFKM mice were randomly assigned to three groups: control, diabetic model, and diabetes + Bacillus toyonensis SAU-19 group. After 35 days, blood was collected for biochemical analysis and liver tissue samples for histopathological analysis using H&E staining, qPCR, and ELISA. The results showed that the administration of B. toyonensis SAU-19 significantly improved the blood glucose, hepatic insulin resistance, and morphological changes of the liver characterized by significant improvement of dyslipidemia, glycogen synthesis, and antioxidant status (p < 0.05), indicating the strains’ ameliorating effects on hepatic insulin resistance in T2DM. In conclusion, the probiotic strain (B. toyonensis SAU-19) inhibits T2DM by reducing insulin resistance, improving antioxidant status, and downregulating genes related to glucose synthesis; hence, it may be used in treating diabetes and other metabolic disorders. This study provides the basis for further studies into the molecular mechanisms of B. toyonensis SAU-19 in treating T2DM.

Beneficial effects of cinnamon and its extracts in the management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes are the leading causes of death worldwide, which underlines the urgent necessity to develop new pharmacotherapies. Cinnamon has been an eminent component of spice and traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Numerous lines of findings have elucidated that cinnamon has beneficial effects against CVDs in various ways, including endothelium protection, regulation of immune response, lowering blood lipids, antioxidative properties, anti-inflammatory properties, suppression of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and mobilization, repression of platelet activity and thrombosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. Furthermore, emerging evidence has established that cinnamon improves diabetes, a crucial risk factor for CVDs, by enhancing insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion; regulating the enzyme activity involved in glucose; regulating glucose metabolism in the liver, adipose tissue and muscle; ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammation to protect islet cells; and improving diabetes complications. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms by which cinnamon regulates CVDs and diabetes in order to provide a theoretical basis for the further clinical application of cinnamon.

Nanoencapsulation of thyme essential oil: a new avenue to enhance its protective role against oxidative stress and cytotoxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles in rats

Although the green synthesis of nanometals is eco-friendly, the toxicity or safety of these biosynthesized nanoparticles in living organisms is not fully studied. This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective role of encapsulated thyme oil (ETO) against zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). ETO was prepared using a mixture of whey protein isolate, maltodextrin, and gum Arabic, and ZnO-NPs were synthesized using parsley extract. Six groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally for 21 days which included the control group, ZnO-NP-treated group (25 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)), ETO-treated groups at low or high dose (50, 100 mg/kg b.w.), and the groups that received ZnO-NPs plus ETO at the two tested doses. Blood and tissue samples were collected for different assays. The results showed that carvacrol and thymol were the major components in ETO among 13 compounds isolated by GC-MS. ZnO-NPs were nearly spherical and ETOs were round in shape with an average size of 38 and 311.8 nm, respectively. Administration of ZnO-NPs induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, biochemical, ctyogentical, and histological changes in rats. ETO at the tested doses alleviated these disturbances and showed protective effects against the hazards of ZnO-NPs. It could be concluded that encapsulation of thyme oil using whey protein isolate, maltodextrin, and gum Arabic improved the antioxidant properties of ETO, probably possess synergistic effects, and can be used as a promising tool in pharmaceutical and food applications.

Matlodextrin-cinnamon essential oil nanoformulation as a potent protective against titanium nanoparticles-induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and reproductive disturbances in male mice

Recently, bio-nanofabrication becomes one of the widest methods for synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs); however, there is scanty literature exploring the toxicity of these green NPs against living organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective role of encapsulated cinnamon oil (ECO) against titanium oxide nanoparticle (TiO2NP)-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, and reproductive disturbances in male mice. Sixty male Balb/c mice were distributed into six groups treated orally for 3 weeks and included control group, TiO2NP-treated group (25 mg/kg b.w), ECO at low or high dose-treated groups (50 or 100 mg/kg b.w), and the groups that received TiO2NPs plus ECO at a low or high dose. The results of GC-MS revealed the isolation of 21 compounds and the majority was cinnamaldehyde. The average size zeta potential of TiO2NPs and ECO were 28.9 and 321 nm and -33.97 and -17.35 mV, respectively. TiO2NP administration induced significant changes in liver and kidney function, decreased antioxidant capacity, and increased oxidative stress markers in liver and kidney, DNA damage in the hepatocytes, the number of chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow and germ cells, and sperm abnormalities along with histological changes in the liver, kidney, and testis. Co-administration of TiO2NPs and ECO could alleviate these disturbances in a dose-dependent manner. It could be concluded that ECO is a promising and safe candidate for the protection against the health hazards of TiO2NPs.