Presentation by: Michael C. Cloud Economic Botany April 22 nd, 2008

 Family: Lauraceae  Native region: ◦ India, Sri Lanka  Spice ◦ Derived from the tree bark ceae/Cinnamomum%20zeylanicum/

 Initially: primary trunk is cut and two incisions are made  Vertical slice is made between the two primary incisions that go around the trunk allowing for removal of outer bark.  Inner bark is cut and rolled into the quill shape commonly seen.

 Once its been cut and rolled by hand, they are placed in matting.  Once matting is complete, they are allowed to ferment chemically for a day.  Outer parts are then scraped away, leaving the inner bark and pieces of the outer bark ◦ Gives Cassia the rougher texture

 “True Cinnamon” ◦ Cinnamomum zeylanicum  Thinner “quills” due to the removal of the rough outer coating after matting and fermenting.  Usually a richer, more delicate flavor  Common Form ◦ Cinnamomum cassia  Usually much thicker due to not scraping the rougher outer coating off.  Most common form sold in stores.

 Common Uses ◦ Desserts ◦ Teas ◦ Alcohol / Liquors  Recent claims have been made that adding cinnamon powder as a daily supplement reduces fasting blood glucose levels in type II diabetes…

 Are the claims true?  Can taking cinnamon or cinnamon powder daily help in the regulation of blood glucose levels in diabetes patients?

 Also known as “non-insulin dependent”  Normally caused by being overweight and/or genetic link.  Characterized by a resistance to insulin ◦ Increased adipose tissue ◦ Genetic mutation for insulin or the receptor proteins.

 Glycosuria ◦ Presence of glucose in the urine  Due to high glucose concentration in the glomerular filtrate.  Polydipsia ◦ Excessive thirst & drinking  Polyphagia ◦ Excessive eating  Fatigue  Weight loss

 Oral Medications ◦ Pioglitazone ◦ Metformin ◦ Actoplus-Met  Insulin Injections ◦ Novalog insulin “pens”  Newest experimental procedure: ◦ gastric bypass

 European Journal of Clinical Education. May 2006 ◦ Group A: 79 patients not on insulin (treated w/ oral medication) were given either a placebo or a cinnamon powder treatment 3 times a day (~ 3g/day) for 4 months. ◦ Results: decrease by 10.3% in fasting blood glucose levels in patients with the supplement, and 3.4% in the placebo. ◦ Appears that individuals with higher concentrations of glucose will benefit the most.

 Journal of Nutrition - Maastricht University, Netherlands  25 Women ◦ Ages yrs & BMI kg  Experiment: 6 week trial with supplement of 1.5g/day of cassia powder or a placebo.  Results: no change in the blood glucose levels with treatment or placebo.

 Journal of Ethnopharmacology – N. Korea  Different dosages of 50, 100, 150, 200 mg of cassia administered over 6 week period.  Results: ◦ Decrease in blood glucose levels (200mg case only) ◦ Increase in serum insulin levels ◦ Increase intestinal glycosidase concentrations  Decreases glucose concentration by increasing absorption.

 Actual process is still unknown  Iowa State University Experiment ◦ PI-3’ kinase inhibitor in rats decrease the actions of insulin. ◦ Cinnamon is believed to act upstream of this pathway  Inhibits PTP-1 (rat hormone) that inactivates insulin receptors.

 Researchers are split down the middle still on the use of cinnamon.  More experiments are needed before a decision can be made.

 European Journal of Clinical Education. May European Journal of Clinical Education. May  Goodman, H.M. Basic Medical Endocrinology. Third Ed. Academic Press. New York  Image. University of Wisconsin – Botany Page Image. University of Wisconsin – Botany Page  Iowa State University Iowa State University  Journal of Enthnopharmacology. N. Korea. March 8, Journal of Enthnopharmacology. N. Korea. March 8,  Journal of Nutrition. Maastricht University. Journal of Nutrition. Maastricht University.  Medline-Plus. National Institute of Health. Medline-Plus. National Institute of Health.  Simpson, B. Economic Botany. Third Ed. McGraw Hill. St. Louis pp