Exploring the anti-diabetic effects of a complementary formulation in rats with nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Cinnamon has a long history as an antidiabetic spice, but trials involving cinnamon supplementation have produced contrasting results. The aim of this review was to examine the results of randomized controlled clinical trials of cinnamon and evaluate the therapeutic potential amongst patients with diabetes and insulin-resistant patients, particularly the ability to reduce blood glucose levels and inhibit protein glycation. A systematic electronic literature search using the medical subject headings 'cinnamon' and 'blood glucose' was carried out to include randomized, placebo-controlled in vivo clinical trials using Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum cassia conducted between January 2003 and July 2008. Five type 2 diabetic and three non-diabetic studies (total N = 311) were eligible. Two of the diabetic studies illustrated significant fasting blood glucose (FBG) reductions of 18-29% and 10.3% (p < 0.05), supported by one non-diabetic trial reporting an 8.4% FBG reduction (p < 0.01) vs. placebo, and another illustrating significant reductions in glucose response using oral glucose tolerance tests (p < 0.05). Three diabetic studies reported no significant results. Whilst definitive conclusions cannot be drawn regarding the use of cinnamon as an antidiabetic therapy, it does possess antihyperglycaemic properties and potential to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels. Further research is required to confirm a possible correlation between baseline FBG and blood glucose reduction and to assess the potential to reduce pathogenic diabetic complications with cinnamon supplementation.

Hyperglycemia in people with prediabetes and diabetes, if left untreated, can cause serious health conditions. Voluntary muscle contraction (exercise) is known to increase glucose uptake into cells, thereby improving glycemic control. Nonetheless, adherence to conventional exercise is low. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) involuntarily contracts skeletal muscle; however, the effectiveness of NMES on glycemic control is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute and 8 weeks of NMES on glycemic control in people with hyperglycemia. We hypothesized that NMES will improve glycemic control by reduction of blood glucose (acute effect) and improvement in glucose tolerance (chronic effect). METHODS: Thirty-four sedentary participants (Age: 39.8±12.6 years; BMI: 36.2±6.2 kg/m2) with hyperglycemia (fasting glucose ≥ 100 ug/dL or 2-hour post-glucose load ≥ 140ug/dL) were recruited for the study. Participants’ fasting blood glucose, substrate utilization (respiratory exchange ratio (RER)), and energy expenditure were measured right before and continuously during 30 minutes of NMES. A subset of participants (n=20) was randomized into control (n=9) or NMES groups (n=11) for an 8-week intervention to receive supervised bilateral quadriceps stimulation (30 minutes/session; 3 times/week at 50 Hz and 300 µs pulse width) at a low intensity sensory level or at a high intensity neuromuscular level respectively. Glycemic control was measured using oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after the intervention. Body composition was measured using DXA. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and two-way ANOVA with repeated measures and Sidak post hoc analysis. Results: Thirty minutes of NMES (acute effect) resulted in significant reduction of fasting blood glucose (110.2±3.4 mg/dL to 107.1±2.9 mg/dL; p&lt;0.01), increase in RER (0.77±0.01 to 0.79±0.01; p&lt;0.01) and no change in energy expenditure (p&gt;0.05) during the stimulation compared to baseline. Eight weeks of NMES intervention (chronic effect) resulted in reduction of blood glucose levels at the 90, 120, and 150 minutes of the OGTT test (p&lt;0.05 at each time points). Glucose tolerance significantly improved after 8 weeks of NMES intervention as assessed by 3-hour glucose area under the curve (AUC) (506.3±32.6 AU to 476.3±27.0 AU; p&lt;0.05) whereas control group exhibited no significant changes at any timepoint during OGTT (p&gt;0.05) nor the 3-hour AUC (513.4±36.8 AU to 494.7±43.6 AU; p&gt;0.05). Body composition measured by total mass, total fat mass, and total lean mass did not change for either group (p&gt;0.05). CONCLUSION: Involuntary muscle contraction through NMES is a potential strategy for blood glucose management in people with hyperglycemia. Future studies should evaluate the feasibility and adherence of NMES administration among people with diabetes. This work is supported by the NIH and by the SURF program funded by the American Physiological Society. This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2025 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that some susceptible gene loci of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are not only associated with the susceptibility risk of T2DM, but also the modifying effects of lifestyle interventions. To further explore the modifying effects of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the onset of T2DM and the reduction of blood glucose in response to lifestyle interventions among the high-risk population, we performed a lifestyle intervention study in two Deqing rural communities during the period from June to December in 2017. The intensive lifestyle interventions were conducted among the study subjects of the intervention group while those in the control group only received conventional and general health education. All participants were genotyped by the MassARRY system. This study showed that for SNP rs9502570, fasting blood glucose showed a significantly greater reduction for individuals with CC + CT genotype than those with TT genotype (P=0.031). In the intervention group, the glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) decreased by 0.03% for those with CC+CT genotype, while HbA1C increased by 0.27% for those with TT genotype (P=0.012). The difference in the reduction of fasting blood glucose and HbA1c between the intervention and control groups was also statistically significant between individuals with TT and those with CC+CT genotype. For SNP rs10811661, the reduction of fasting blood glucose was significantly higher in people with TT genotype than those with CC + CT genotype (0.44 mmol/L vs 0.12 mmol/L, P=0.021). The difference in reduction of fasting blood glucose between the intervention group and control group was also statistically significant between TT and CC+CT genotype (P<0.001). In summary, the SNP genotypes of both rs9502570 and rs10811661 could modify the effects of lifestyle interventions on reducing fasting blood glucose and HbA1C among the high risk rural population for T2DM. The present study has provided supporting evidence for future development of individualized intervention measures for high-risk population of T2DM.

Diabetes mellitus is a global epidemic and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Additional medications that are novel, affordable, and efficacious are needed to treat this rampant disease. This meta-analysis was performed to ascertain the effectiveness of oral aloe vera consumption on the reduction of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). PubMed, CINAHL, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and Natural Standard databases were searched. Studies of aloe vera's effect on FBG, HbA1c, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting serum insulin, fructosamine, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in prediabetic and diabetic populations were examined. After data extraction, the parameters of FBG and HbA1c had appropriate data for meta-analyses. Extracted data were verified and then analyzed by StatsDirect Statistical Software. Reductions of FBG and HbA1c were reported as the weighted mean differences from baseline, calculated by a random-effects model with 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup analyses to determine clinical and statistical heterogeneity were also performed. Publication bias was assessed by using the Egger bias statistic. Nine studies were included in the FBG parameter (n = 283); 5 of these studies included HbA1c data (n = 89). Aloe vera decreased FBG by 46.6 mg/dL (p < 0.0001) and HbA1c by 1.05% (p = 0.004). Significant reductions of both endpoints were maintained in all subgroup analyses. Additionally, the data suggest that patients with an FBG ≥200 mg/dL may see a greater benefit. A mean FBG reduction of 109.9 mg/dL was observed in this population (p ≤ 0.0001). The Egger statistic showed publication bias with FBG but not with HbA1c (p = 0.010 and p = 0.602, respectively). These results support the use of oral aloe vera for significantly reducing FBG (46.6 mg/dL) and HbA1c (1.05%). Further clinical studies that are more robust and better controlled are warranted to further explore these findings.

Tarchonantus camphoratus (TC) has been used traditionally to manage diabetes mellitus (DM) in Kenya but its efficacy has not been scientifically evaluated. This study aimed at evaluating the antidiabetic properties of TC crude leaf extract in diet-induced diabetic Wistar rats. DM was induced using high fructose (25% w/v) in drinking water for 12 weeks. Rats were divided into five groups (n=7): Groups I: normal control; II; diabetic untreated; III, IV &amp; V; diabetic treated (21 days) with metformin (100 mg/kg.bw/day), 300 and 600 mg/kg.bw/day of TC extract respectively. Fasting body weights and blood glucose levels were monitored weekly. Oral glucose tolerance test, serum lipid profile, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total proteins (TP), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin (ALB) and triglyceride (TG) mass in skeletal muscle were analysed at end of the study. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was done using standard procedures. Diabetic untreated rats had significantly higher body weights (p ˂0.05) compared to other groups. There was a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose in TC treatment groups compared to untreated controls. Increased glucose tolerance was observed in treated groups. TC extract significantly improved fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia compared to DM groups. ALP, ALT, and CRP were significantly lowered while TP and ALB were elevated in the extract treated rats compared with untreated DM rats. DM group also exhibited significantly higher skeletal muscle TG mass when compared to normal control and diabetic treated groups. The phytochemical-rich TC leaf extract therefore possess potential alternative medicine for DM management.

Abstract: The anti-diabetic activity of methanolic extract of seed of Diplocyclos palmatus Linn. (Cucurbetaceae) was evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methanolic extract of the seed (150 mg/kg body weight), was administered orally to male Swiss albino mice. Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes mellitus. The anti-diabetic potential was assessed by determining oral glucose tolerance, fasting blood glucose, urine glucose, liver glycogen content, serum lipid profile, change in body weight and histopathology. Methanolic seed extract was administered to normal and experimental diabetic mice for 15 days. Significant (p < 0.001) reduction in fasting blood glucose levels was observed in the treated diabetic animals from day 7 onwards. In oral glucose tolerance test, reduction of fasting blood glucose levels was noted after 60 min of extract administration. After 15 days of treatment with extracts the maximum reduction in fasting blood glucose (53.87%) was observed in diabetic mice treated with methanolic extract 150 mg/kg. Serum lipid levels reversed towards near normal and the loss of body weight was controlled in treated mice as compared to diabetic control. The extract treatment also showed a significant increase in the liver glycogen content and gradual decrease in level of urine sugar level. Microscopically examined pancreas section of mice treated with 150 mg/kg methanolic extract showed normal architecture of pancreas. The results demonstrate that seed of Diplocyclos palmatus possesses significant anti-diabetic activity. The results suggest that Diplocyclos palmatus has anti-diabetic activity, thereby justifying its traditional use. The plant may be used in present day systems of medicine as an anti-diabetic drug. Keywords: Diplocyclos palmatus, Seeds, Streptozotocin, Diabetes.

Effect of camel milk protein hydrolysates against hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and associated oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats

Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effect of ethanolic extract of seeds of Eugenia jambolana in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of flavonoid rich extract from Eugenia jambolana seeds on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Pancreatic β-cells dysfunction and impairment of insulin action usually leads to hyperglycemia. Punica granatum L. is a well-known traditional herbal remedy in Iran due to its positive effects on ameliorating blood glucose homeostasis. In this study, Alloxan-diabetic male Wistar rats were administrated with pomegranate fruits aqueous extract (PE) in different doses of 100, 200, and 350 mg/kg bw (PE+Da, PE+Db and PE+Dc, respectively), and the effects of PE polyphenols content on glucose metabolism in treated groups were examined using oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), short-term and long-term PE consumption periods models followed by evaluation of plasma insulin, free fatty acids, and triglycerides levels and tissues contents of glycogen and triglycerides; compared with diabetic control (DC) and healthy control (NC) groups. By using Real-time PCR, the possibility of modulations of the Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), Protein kinase B (Akt), Glucose transporter 2 and 4 (Glut-2, 4) mRNAs expression levels in PE treated rats were investigated. The obtained data showed noticeable reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) by 28.1% and 67.9% in short-term and long-term treatment models, respectively, in PE + Dc group. Also, there existed marked increase in the mRNAs expression levels of IRS-1, Akt, Glut-2, and Glut-4, which results in improvement of glucose uptake and promotes its storage. Taking together, it is suggested that PE administration contributes to the modulation of both hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in Alloxan-diabetic Wistar rats.

Combination insulin/glyburide therapy in type II diabetes mellitus: Effects on lipoprotein metabolism and glucoregulation

The present study was undertaken to evaluate antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaves of Punica granatum. The aqueous and methanolic extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg) of the leaves were tested for their efficacy in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Glibenclamide (4 mg/kg), p.o. and insulin (5 unit/kg s.c.) were used as standard drugs. The maximum reduction in fasting blood glucose in diabetic rats was observed with aqueous extract as compared to methanolic extract. Oral glucose tolerance test in normal rats showed reduction in fasting blood glucose level at 60 min of extract administration. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaves of Punica granatum exhibited scavenging effect in concentration dependent manner on 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide and reducing power assay. Ascorbic acid was used as a standard. The findings of the present study suggested that Punica granatum possess significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity.

BackgroundThe present study focused on the antidiabetic potential and fingerprinting analysis of Bryophyllumcpinnatum stems as well as its possible mechanisms of action along with identification of its major phytoconstituents. The oral glucose tolerance test has been performed administering a glucose solution (2000 mg/kg) to induce hyperglycemia. Diabetes have been instigated by single intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg).ResultsAlcohol and aqueous extracts were found to be safe up to a dose of 3000 mg/kg. Oral glucose tolerance test results showed significant reduction in fasting blood glucose level. Alcohol and aqueous extracts (200, 400 mg/kg b.w.) showed significant reduction in fasting blood glucose among all groups. Groups receiving zinc sulfate-loaded extracts showed a statistically significant reduction in low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels and enhanced levels of high density lipoproteins. Fingerprinting analysis has been performed to identify the major phytoconstituents of flavonoid category morin, chrysin, and 6-hydroxy flavones, as well as iso-quercetin, hyperosides and terpenoids present in the extracts possess antidiabetic potential.ConclusionsBoth alcohol and aqueous extracts found to possess significant antidiabetic activity in diabetic rats. Zinc sulfate synergistically potentiates the antidiabetic potential of alcohol extract. Fingerprinting analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids such as morin, chrysin, and 6-hydroxy flavones, as well as iso-quercetin, hyperosides, and terpenoids. The possible mechanisms of antidiabetic activity have been elucidated, although further studies are required to give more elaborated mechanism on molecular basis.Graphical abstract

ObjectiveThis study examined the effects of three doses of behavioral weight loss treatment, compared with a nutrition education control group, on changes in glycemic control in individuals with obesity and...

Objective: To evaluate the effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity in rats, focusing on biochemical, histological, and molecular changes. Methods: Thirty male albino rats were randomised into three groups (n=10 each): control, atorvastatin (80 mg/kg), and rosuvastatin (40 mg/kg). Treatments were given orally for 30 days. Serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. Pancreatic tissue was examined histologically. The molecular signalling pathway was studied by measuring the gene expression of protein kinase B (AKT) and Insulin-responsive glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Results: [Atorvastatin treatment was associated with an initial reduction in fasting blood glucose and improvement in insulin sensitivity. However, by day 30, this group showed reduced glucose tolerance, increased insulin resistance, and β-cell alterations. These metabolic changes were accompanied by a transient early upregulation of AKT and GLUT4 expression in adipose tissue, which declined by the end of the study. In contrast, rosuvastatin treatment was associated with early improvement in glycaemic markers and preserved glucose tolerance, with histological changes observed in pancreatic tissue. Molecular analysis in this group showed a modest early upregulation of AKT and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle. Conclusion: Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin exert distinct effects on glucose metabolism. While rosuvastatin showed a more stable metabolic profile, prolonged high-dose atorvastatin was associated with insulin resistance and β-cell changes.