Cinnamomum burmannii improves insulin serum level in the normal obese subjects : preliminary study

Abstract

Obesity is characterized with excessive accumulation of the body fat which occurs when
the energy intake exceeds the expenditure. It is routinely associated with insulin resistance
and hyperinsulinemia. Additionally, suppressing insulin level protects female mice from
weight gaining. Cinnamon [Cinnamomum burmannii (Ness) Bl. Cortex] suppresses
hyperinsulinemia condition in the type 2 diabetic rat suggesting the possible beneficial its
role in the obesity. We aimed to investigate the effect of Cinnamon extract in the normal
obese subjects. In this preliminary cross-over clinical trial, 24 normal obese subjects
were recruited and divided randomly into two groups i.e. treatment and placebo. Two
grams of the cinnamon extract were given twice daily for 56 days in the treatment group.
Normal obese subjects given placebo were allocated as the placebo group. After the
treatment, each of the group ran a one month run-in period, then the groups were crossovered
for the next 56 days. Body mass index (BMI), insulin serum level, cholesterol and
triglyceride plasma levels were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study.
No diet restriction nor exercise intervention was given during the study. At the end of the
study, BMI in the treatment group (58%) were slightly reduced when compared to the
placebo group (33%), however, it was not significantly different (p>0.05). Moreover,
significantly reduction in the insulin serum level was observed in 63% subject in the
treatment group compared to 33% subject in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Additionally,
there were no significant differences of cholesterol and triglyceride plasma level observed
in the both group. In conclusion, cinnamon extract may give beneficial role in the normal
obese subjects by suppressing the serum insulin level. Further studies are required to
elucidate the specific role of cinnamon in preventing weight gain.