Authors : Mustafa A. Howeida, Eltayeb B. Idris, Ali M. Almahdi, Shaddad A. Sania, Mohammad H. Abdelwahhab and M.M.E. Mudawi
Abstract: The aqueous and methanolic extracts of the bark of C. verum were studied for their hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects in hyperglycaemic (type II) and in streptozotocin diabetic rats (type I). The hypoglycaemic effect was determined following the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) model and the results were compared to the control. The results of this research in type II showed an early and persistent hypoglycaemic effect, since the first hour and throughout the experiment. Both doses of the aqueous extract and dose 200 mg kg-1 of the methanolic extract, revealed the highest significant glucose lowering effect (p<0.001) as compared to the control, followed by dose 400 mg kg-1 of the methanolic extract, which reduced blood glucose significantly (p<0.05) throughout the experiment. The onset of hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic rats was slow but highly significant as started at the 12th h. The reference drugs revealed no significant hypoglycaemic effect throughout the experiment. Regarding blood cholesterol, the onset of the hypocholesterolaemic effect in type II started with a significant reduction (p<0.05) at the 2nd h post dosing and continued till the 4th h post dosing. Glibenclamide reduced blood cholesterol significantly (p<0.05) at the 2nd h only. Both extracts of C. verum showed no significant cholesterol reduction in type I diabetic rats. Insulin reduced blood cholesterol significantly (p<0.05) at the 2nd h only. Concerning the effect of C. verum on the level of blood triglycerides, the aqueous and methanolic extracts, reduced blood triglycerides of hyperglycaemic rats, significantly (p<0.05) and (p<0.001), respectively at the 2nd h post dosing as compared to the control. In diabetic rats, the aqueous extract reduced blood triglycerides significantly (p<0.001) at the 2nd and 4th h post dosing. The effect of the methanolic extract was highly significant (p<0.001) but slower in its action, as it started at the 4th h. In conclusion, the bark of C. verum confirmed its traditional use in herbal medicine as an antidiabetic agent which can be more effective than the commonly used hypoglycaemic drugs.
Mustafa A. Howeida, Eltayeb B. Idris, Ali M. Almahdi, Shaddad A. Sania, Mohammad H. Abdelwahhab and M.M.E. Mudawi, 2010. Antidiabetic and Hypolipidaemic Effects of Cinnanomum verum Bark on Hyperglycaemic and Diabetic Rats. Research Journal of Pharmacology, 4: 21-25.