A randomised double blind placebo control trial of cinnamon supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy of cinnamon supplementation on blood sugar, HbA1c, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL levels in newly diagnosed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We performed a double blind placebo controlled study. Methods: One hundred and fifty newly diagnosed patients with T2DM were selected randomly. After one month stabilisation period, 150 patients divided into three groups 1, 2 and 3 given type A, B and C capsules blindly bearing a distinctive code number. All three groups were also given conventional treatment i.e. diet and exercise for 3 months. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, blood sugar, HbA1c and lipid profiles were preformed initially after 1 and 3 months of treatment. After 3 months decoding was done and analysed data by ANOVA, t and r test. Results: At baseline all three groups (3 gm, 6 gm/day doses and placebo) were similar in anthropometric and clinical variables. After three months of supplementation there was a significant improvement in FBS and HbA1c in both groups (3 gm FBS was 226.73 +/- 21.43 to 115.6 +/- 23.03, p < 0.001, in HbA1c 8.47 +/- 1.02 to 7.29 +/- 0.83, p < 0.005, in 6 gm FBS was 216.94 +/- 26.27 to 112.26 +/- 22.85 and HbA1c was 8.10 +/- 0.84 to 7.25 +/- 0.81, p < 0.005). In BMI no significant difference was observed. There was a significant difference in systolic blood pressure (3 gm doses 130.75 +/- 14.10 to 126.60 +/- 13.16, p < 0.005, and in 6 gm 126.8 +/- 13.73 to 121.65 +/- 11.34, p < 0.001). In 3 gm doses changes in cholesterol level, LDL, triglyceride and HDL were significant (190.16 +/- 25.19 to 164 +/- 17.82; 109.69 +/- 14.89 to 96.80 +/- 8.77; 213.5 +/- 40.14 to 146.04 +/- 38.34 and 40.148 +/- 6.16 to 45.43 +/- 0.27, p < 0.001, respectively). In 6 gm cholesterol was 188.04 +/- 20.83 to154.31 +/- 17.94; LDL 102.51 +/- 21.70 to 90.85 +/- 19.10; triglyceride 206.50 +/- 72.50 to147.28 +/- 51.29 and HDL was 43.73 +/- 11.77 to 69.78 +/- 8.66, p < 0.001. Cinnamon was accepted by all patients. No adverse effects were observed in the study. Conclusion: In this study cinnamon appears to be effective in controlling hyperglycemia and dislipidemia in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients without any untoward effect.