Extract of Cinnamomum cassia L. possesses an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase that acts as a potential antidiabesity agent
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Diabesity, defined as the coexistence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has emerged as a major global health concern. Pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase are recognized as key therapeutic targets for obesity and T2DM, respectively. Oxidative stress also plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. This study was designed to evaluate the antidiabesity potential of sequential extracts of Cinnamomum cassia ( C. cassia ) bark by assessing inhibition of pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase, as well as antioxidant activity. Materials and Methods: Sequential extracts of C. cassia bark were prepared using different solvent systems. Pancreatic lipase activity was measured using the synthetic substrate p -nitrophenyl palmitate, and inhibition was evaluated accordingly. α-Glucosidase inhibition was assessed using p -nitrophenyl α- d -glucopyranoside as the substrate. Antioxidant activity of the selected extract was evaluated using superoxide and free radical-scavenging assays, as described in the methodology. Phytochemical constituents were identified using standard procedures, and the antidiabetes-active component was localized by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Furthermore, attempts were made to isolate and characterize the active multifunctional compound using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and phytochemical profiling. Results: Among all extracts, the methanolic extract showed the highest biological activity at 100 µg/mL. It exhibited 66% inhibition of pancreatic lipase (IC 50 = 67.95 µg/mL) with the synthetic substrate and 81.7% with the natural substrate. Complete (100%) α-glucosidase inhibition was observed (IC 50 = 12.46 µg/mL). The extract also showed strong antioxidant activity, with 78.2% superoxide-scavenging activity and 87.9% free radical-scavenging activity. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of multiple bioactive compounds. Notably, TLC revealed a single active, multifunctional band at an R f value of 0.75, identified as a phenolic compound. FTIR analysis further supported the presence of hydroxyl and aldehyde functional groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the methanolic extract of C. cassia bark contains a phenolic compound ( R f = 0.75) with significant antidiabesity potential.
Source: MGM Journal of Medical Sciences
Institution: Mahatma Gandhi Mission Institute of Health Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214286209