Effects of Aqueous Cinnamon Extract on Body Mass Index, Organs Weight and Biochemical Indices of Male Wistar Rats on a High-fat Diet

Consuming herbal supplements for preventing obesity is cheaper and safer in comparison to chemical drugs. Considering the anti-obesity effect of Cinnamon, in this study, effects of two different doses of aqueous Cinnamon extract on weight and biochemical indices related to metabolic syndrome were investigated in rats under high-fat diet.
Subjects and Thirty two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups:Control (normal diet), high-fat diet group (high-fat diet with 60% additional fat), 2 high-fat diet groups treated with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of extract. Treatment was done daily for 20 weeks by gavage. Then, dissection was performed and blood samples were taken from the heart. Weights of internal organs and omental fat were measured, and biochemical tests were performed.
One hundred mg/kg dose of extract, reduced BMI and omental fat in comparison to the high-fat diet group. Both doses of extract reduced leptin level in comparison to the high-fat diet group. Dose of 100 mg/kg prevented the weight reduction of pancreas.
In the present study, anti-obesity effects of 100 mg/kg dose of extract was observed which may be an evidence of positive effects of low doses of extract. Aqueous Cinnamon extract can be used as a flavor with meals.