DOI: 10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_92_26 ISSN: 2347-7946

Extract of Cinnamomum cassia L. possesses an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase that acts as a potential antidiabesity agent

Priyanka Rathod, Chandana C. Kulkarni, Raman P. Yadav
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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.

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