Effect of Bioflora and Cinnamon Extract Consumption on Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Disease in a Diabetic Rat Model

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death, and its prevalence is increasing annually because of the change in lifestyle. Increased blood glucose level and dyslipidemia are the major symptoms of this metabolic disease. Currently, the main and effective treatment for diabetes is the use of medication such as insulin. Its control by using herbal products has received a lot of attention in the world. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of bioflora (a probiotic supplement) and aqueous extract of cinnamon in improvement of blood glucose level, dyslipidemia, and reduction of cardiovascular diseases in diabetic rats. 

Thirty-five male Wistar rats were prepared and randomly divided into five groups of negative control, positive control, probiotic (treated with bioflora 3.2×108 CFUs/day for 30 days), cinnamon (treated with 200 mg/kg of cinnamon aqueous extract for 30 days), and probiotic + cinnamon. Diabetes was induced by intra-peritoneally injection of streptozotocin. The rats’ weight, blood glucose level, lipid profile, high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and Atherogenic Index (AI) were measured at the end of experiment to predict the risk of cardiovascular diseases.  

 This study ethically approved in Research Centre of Islamic Azad University of Arak (Code: IR.IAU.ARAKREC1397.005). All interventions performed in accordance with the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals prepared by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources.

 Induction of diabetes caused severe weight lost in rats, but the weight loss was lower in groups treated with probiotic. The blood glucose level in probiotic + cinnamon group was significantly reduced. Bioflora reduced triglyceride, cholesterol, and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while cinnamon extract significantly reduced triglyceride and LDL-C levels compared to the positive control group. AI and hs-CRP values were reduced in the probiotic group compared to control groups. There was no synergistic effect by combined use of bioflora and cinnamon extract. 

 Bioflora effectively prevented dyslipidemia by improving intestinal microbiota, lowering blood glucose level, and improving lipid profile and, therefore, reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases.