Background and aims: Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by many complications in eye, kidney, nervous, and reproduction systems. Polyol pathway is one of the mechanisms involved in the development of diabetic complications due to increased activity of aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH). Inhibiting AR can be a target to prevent diabetes complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cinnamon hydroalcoholic extract (CE) on serum SDH level and AR in the lens and testis of diabetic rats.
Methods: Forty-eight male rats were classified into six groups as control (vehicle), treatment control I & II (250 or 350 mg/kg/day of CE, respectively), diabetic control (vehicle), and treatment groups I & II (250 or 350 mg/kg/day of CE respectively). Rats treated for 30 days. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin. Serum SDH, and AR level in the lens and testis were measured.
Results: Diabetes significantly increased the level of SDH and AR. Cinnamon extracts significantly reduced theAR level in the testis and lens and serum SDH in the treatment group compared to the DC group (P<0.0001). There was no significant difference between control groups.
Conclusion: Cinnamon extracts may ameliorate some complications of the chronic diabetes through decreasing the level of SDH and AR.