Antidiabetic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Cinnamomum cassia in Alloxan- Induced Diabetic Rats
Shobha Kamble* and S. RambhimaiahDepartment of Pharmacology, Al-Ameen Medical College, Bijapur Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
Abstract: To study the antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Cinnamomum cassia in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. The aqueous extract of cinnamon 60mg/kg was studied alone and in combination with conventional oral antidiabetic drugs like Glibenclamide 5mg/kg and Metformin 0.5gm/kg in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Treatment with drugs were started on the 6th day (i.e.day 0) of alloxan treatment. All the drugs were given orally as a single dose in the morning for 15days. The fasting blood glucose levels were determined on day 0, 10, and 15 by using Glucometer. Blood sample for glucose estimation was collected from rat tail vein. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA followed by Bonferroni Multiple Comparisons Test. Administration of aqueous extract of Cinnamon alone, Glibenclamide alone and Metformin alone led to a decrease in blood glucose levels which was statistically significant (P<0.01) when compared to control group. But a combination of Glibenclamide and Cinnamon led to a decrease in blood glucose levels which was statistically significant (P<0.05) when compared to Glibenclamide alone . A combination of Metformin and Cinnamomum cassia does not significantly (P>0.05) decrease the blood glucose level when compared to Metformin alone. This study shows that Cinnamon extract produced a significant hypoglycemic effect and the combination of Cinnamon with glibenclamide when given for 15days caused more significant reduction in blood glucose level than either drug is given alone. Increased activity in combination may be due to potentiation or synergism.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; albino rats; alloxan monohydrate; Cinnamomum cassia; Glibenclamide Back to TOC