The study was done to evaluate the antioxidant effects of cinnamon and vitamin C
in controlling hyperglycemia and their effect on lipid profile in male rabbits in
comparison with the effects of insulin therapy and control animals.
Twenty four diabetic rabbits by the injection of alloxan 100 mg/kg body weight
in the marginal vein of the ear. These diabetic rabbits were divided randomly into 4
groups Number of animals in each group = 6:
Group 1: Was given 2 I.U/ animal of insulin subcutaneously daily. Group 2: Was
given ground cinnamon orally 300 mg/kg body weight dissolved in 5 ml normal
saline daily. Group 3: Was given vitamin C orally 200 mg/kg body weight dissolved
in 5 ml normal saline daily. Group 4: Received orally 5 ml normal saline (0.9% Nacl)
daily and considered as control group. All animal groups were treated for five weeks.
Blood samples were taken from these groups weekly for biochemical analysis to
estimate: Blood glucose, Lipid profile (include total cholesterol (TC), triglyglyceride
(TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low
density lipoprotein(VLDL) and serum malondialdehyde (MDA).
The results showed high glucose and lipid concentration associated with an
increased oxidant stress alloxan induces on diabetic animals.
The statistically analysis showed that a cinnamon and vitamin C significant (P<
0.05) reduction in glucose and lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL, LDL and VLDL) in
concordance with a significant elevation in HDL (P<0.05). The level of MDA was
also significantly reduced (P<0.05) in all period comparison with period before
treated with vit. C and Cinnamon extract.
It may conclude that, cinnamon and vitamin C have antioxidant activities to cause
an important role in reduction of blood glucose level and lipid profile in
hyperglycemic animals.