The effects of Cinnamon on Diabetes Mellitus: A narrative review

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus is the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in drug management of diabetes, adverse effects of drugs have made scientists look towards hypoglycemic agents of plant origin. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp) has been suggested to help patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is a review article in which the articles published in Persian and English by means of keywords such as Cinnamon and Medicinal Plants in data bases like SID, PubMed, and Science Direct were searched. Some randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effects of cinnamon on diabetes show conflicting results. The present review summarizes the last known abilities of cinnamon in improving complications of diabetes and constructs the theoretical mechanism by which cinnamon could tackle diabetes.