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

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