Effect of Cinnamon and its Biologically Active Compounds on the Components and Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background and purpose: Metabolic syndrome refers to a set of diseases including insulin resistance, high blood glucose levels, obesity, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia. The cinnamon plant is a member of the Lauraceae family and is considered a universal medicinal plant. Traditional medicine studies reported the therapeutic effects of this plant in the reduction of blood glucose levels, blood pressure, obesity, and improving dyslipidemia. The present study aimed to review the effect of cinnamon and its active compounds on metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods: The search was carried out in Science Direct, Google Scholar, Pub Med, Scopus, and SID using the following keywords: cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and blood lipid profiles. Relevant articles published in May 2007 to September 2022 were selected. Results: Data obtained from different studies (clinical studies, in vivo) on the effects of cinnamon and its active ingredients showed the protective effects of this plant in metabolic syndrome in different ways. Conclusion: Cinnamon could decrease the rate of complications and mortality caused by metabolic syndrome.

Keywords

• metabolic syndrome
• cinnamon
• insulin resistance
• blood pressure
• obesity
• dyslipidemia
• cinnamaldehyde