Changes in CYP2D enzyme activity following induction of type 2 diabetes, and administration of cinnamon and metformin: an experimental animal study

Effects of Cinnamon Powder on Glucose Metabolism in Diabetic Mice and the Molecular Mechanisms

The liver is the primary organ regulating glucose metabolism. In our recent study, cinnamon improved liver function in diabetic mice. However, it is not clear whether cinnamon can reduce the glycemia of diabetic animals by regulating liver glucose metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic mechanism of cinnamon powder (CP) from the perspective of regulating liver glucose metabolism. To achieve this, different doses of CP (200, 400, or 800 mg/kg body weight) were given to diabetic mice by gavage once per day for 8 weeks. These mice were compared with healthy controls, untreated diabetic mice, and diabetic mice treated with metformin (the main first-line drug for type 2 diabetes). CP treatment effectively reduced fasting blood glucose levels and food intake, improved glucose tolerance and fasting serum insulin levels, and decreased glycated serum protein levels in diabetic mice. Furthermore, treatment with CP increased liver glycogen content and reduced the level of the gluconeogenesis precursor pyruvate in the liver. Data obtained by qPCR and western blotting suggested that CP improved glucose metabolism disorders by regulating AMPKα/PGC1α-mediated hepatic gluconeogenesis and PI3K/AKT-mediated hepatic glycogen synthesis. CP exhibits good hypoglycemic effects by improving hepatic glycogen synthesis and controlling hepatic gluconeogenesis. Therefore, CP may be applied as a functional food to decrease blood glucose.

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.

Systematic analysis and identification of the absorption and metabolic components of Zengye decoction in type 2 diabetic rats by HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS

BACKGROUND

Zengye decoction (ZYD) has been widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Exploring the fate of various components of ZYD in vivo is of considerable significance for pharmacological research and molecular mechanism elaboration. However, the systematic analysis on the metabolic behavior of chemical components of ZYD in T2DM rats has not been reported.

METHODS

To screen and characterize the complex chemical compositions of ZYD, and metabolism fate in plasma, urine, bile, and feces of T2DM rats, the model of T2DM rats was prepared. A rapid procedure using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was established. Data were acquired and analyzed by Agilent MassHunter Workstation Qualitative Analysis software version B.07.00 and PCDL manager B.07.00.

RESULTS

A total of 80 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized in ZYD, 31 more than previously detected. Besides, 36 prototype components and 49 metabolites of ZYD were found and characterized in T2DM rats, and the proposed fragmentation pathways and possible metabolic behaviors of the main types of compounds were described.

CONCLUSIONS

This study developed the understanding of the composition of ZYD as well as the cleavage rules and metabolic pathways of the prototype compounds. Besides, this study provided abundant data for further research and for study of the metabolism of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.

Effects of cinnamon supplementation on expression of systemic inflammation factors, NF-kB and Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double blind, and controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

NF-kB, SIRT1 and systemic inflammation factors including hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α accelerate atherosclerosis pathogenesis. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of daily supplementation of three-gram cinnamon on plasma levels of NF-kB, SIRT, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α among type 2 diabetes patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A randomized, double blind, and controlled clinical trial was performed with 44 adult patients who were 25 to 70 years old with type 2 diabetes, randomized to two intervention (n = 22) and control (n = 22) groups differing by daily three grams cinnamon supplementation and placebo for 8 weeks, respectively. The plasma levels of NF-kB, SIRT, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA assay at the beginning and end of the study.

RESULTS

After 8-week intervention, 39 subjects (n = 20 in the cinnamon and n = 19 in the placebo groups) ended up the trial. It was not observed significant difference in levels of hs-CRP (P = 0.29), TNF-α (P = 0.27), IL-6 (P = 0.52), and Sirtuin-1 (P = 0.51) in between group comparison. While, the result showed significant difference in levels of NF-kB (P = 0.02) between groups. As well as, in among group comparison, there was not observed significant differences except in hs-CRP (P = 0.008) in placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study elucidated that cinnamon supplementation has no beneficial effects in reduction of NF-kB, SIRT1, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in type 2 diabetes patients which have a considerable role in development of atherogenesis.

PharmActa: Empowering Patients to Avoid Clinical Significant Drug⁻Herb Interactions

Herbal medicinal products (HMPs) are the subject of increasing interest regarding their benefits for health. However, a serious concern is the potential appearance of clinically significant drug⁻herb interactions in patients. This work provides an overview of drug⁻herb interactions and an evaluation of their clinical significance. We discuss how personalized health services and mobile health applications can utilize tools that provide essential information to patients to avoid drug⁻HMP interactions. There is a specific mention to PharmActa, a dedicated mobile app for personalized pharmaceutical care with information regarding drug⁻HMPs interactions. Several studies over the years have shown that for some HMPs, the potential to present clinically significant interactions is evident, especially for many of the top selling HMPs. Towards that, PharmActa presents how we can improve the way that information regarding potential drug⁻herb interactions can be disseminated to the public. The utilization of technologies focusing on medical information and context awareness introduce a new era in healthcare. The exploitation of eHealth tools and pervasive mobile monitoring technologies in the case of HMPs will allow the citizens to be informed and avoid potential drug⁻HMPs interactions enhancing the effectiveness and ensuring safety for HMPs.