title: Some pharmacological effects of cinnamon and ginger herbs in obese diabetic rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to assess some pharmacological effects of cinnamon (CAE) and ginger (GAE) aqueous extracts in obese diabetic rats, and to elucidate the potential mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 6 equal groups. Group 1 was a negative control and the other groups were rendered obese by feeding rats on high-fat diet for 4 weeks. The obese rats were subcutaneously injected with alloxan for 5*days to induce diabetes. Group 2 was a positive control, and Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were orally given CAE in doses 200 and 400 mg/kg and GAE in the same doses, respectively for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected for serum biochemical analyses. Kidneys were dissected out to assay activity of tissue antioxidant enzymes: Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CAE and GAE significantly reduced body weight and body fat mass; normalized serum levels of liver enzymes; improved lipid profile; decreased blood glucose and leptin and increased insulin serum levels in obese diabetic rats. Both extracts also increased activity of kidney antioxidant enzymes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CAE and GAE exhibit anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic and anti-oxidant effects in obese diabetic rats. These results confirm the previous reports on both extracts. The potential mechanisms underlying these effects are fully discussed and clarified. Our results affirm the traditional use of cinnamon and ginger for treating patients suffering from obesity and diabetes. The obese diabetic rat model used in this study is a novel animal model used in pharmacology researches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mostafa Abbas
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shalaby
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hamed Yahya
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Saifan
keywords: Anti-obesity; anti-diabetic; anti-oxidant; biochemical analyses; cinnamon; ginger; hepatoprotective; hypolipidemic