EFFECTS OF CINNAMON EXTRACT IN DIABETIC RAT MODELS IN COMPARISON WITH ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC DRUGS

Objective: To evaluate the anti diabetic effect of cinnamon extract in alloxaninduced diabetic animal model (albino rats) in comparison with oral hypoglycemic drugs. StudyDesign: An Experimental study. Place of Study: Al Tibri Medical College, Isra University, KarachiCampus. Duration of Study: December 2012 to December 2013. Materials and Methods: Total60 Albino rats of both genders were divided into 6 groups consisting of 10 rats in each group.Each group of animals was further divided into two sub groups containing 5 rats in each groupResults: The results obtained from the data indicated that there is significant reduction in bloodglucose level rats treated with low dose of cinnamon extract. The animals of low dose cinnamonextract (200mg/kg. bw) when compared with other groups; there is a reduction in the bloodglucose level in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Also tolbutamide and acarbose treated groupsshowed better antidiabetic effects as compared with cinnamon extract treated groups (pvalue<0.007 and p value<0.012 respectively), but cinnamon extract treated group showedsynergetic effects when it was given in combination with tolbutamide or acarbose havingsignificant p value<0.001 and p value<0.011 respectively. Conclusions: Tolbutamide andAcarbose showed better anti diabetic effect in comparison with cinnamon extract treated groupswhen used individually. This effect was enhanced when cinnamon was used in combination witheither tolbutamide or acarbose.