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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research

The efficacy and safety of berberine in combination with cinnamon supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial.

  • 2025-02-25
  • European journal of nutrition 64(2)
    • Asieh Mansour
    • Sayed Mahmoud Sajjadi-Jazi
    • Hadis Gerami
    • Atie Sadat Khorasanian
    • Behnam Moalemzadeh
    • Sara Karimi
    • Nima Mohamadi Afrakoti
    • Vahid Mofid
    • Mohammad Reza Mohajeri-Tehrani
    • Azita Hekmatdoost

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
Patients with type 2 diabetes
Methods
Parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study; participants took a divided daily dose of 1200 mg berberine and 600 mg cinnamon or placebo for 12 weeks; ANCOVA was performed
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
12 weeks
  • Rigorous Journal

Background

Diabetes is a serious global health issue and increases the risk of several chronic diseases. However, if hyperglycemia and other metabolic abnormalities related to diabetes are controlled, fewer micro- and macrovascular complications may occur.

Objective

To investigate whether daily supplementation with berberine in combination with cinnamon could have effect on cardiometabolic risk factors, such as impaired glucose regulation, dyslipidemia, and hypertension in patients with diabetes.

Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited to participate in a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Participants were randomized into berberine in combination with cinnamon supplementation or placebo group. Participants were then asked to take a divided daily dose of 1200 mg berberine and 600 mg cinnamon or placebo for 12 weeks. ANCOVA was then performed to evaluate the differences between the two groups, controlling for the respective baseline values.

Results

At the end of study, fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.031) and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (P = 0.013) were significantly lower in participants taking berberine plus cinnamon than those taking the placebo capsules. The results of the serum lipid profile also indicated a significant difference in the level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.039), while no difference was observed in the levels of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides between the study groups. In addition, there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups.

Conclusion

Twelve weeks of berberine plus cinnamon consumption reduced blood FBS, HbA1c and LDL-C concentration in patients with diabetes.

Research Insights

  • no difference was observed in the levels of ... high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • no difference was observed in the levels of total cholesterol

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.031) ... were significantly lower in participants taking berberine plus cinnamon than those taking the placebo capsules.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (P = 0.013) were significantly lower in participants taking berberine plus cinnamon than those taking the placebo capsules.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • The results of the serum lipid profile also indicated a significant difference in the level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.039)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • no difference was observed in the levels of ... triglycerides between the study groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • no difference was observed in the levels of ... high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • no difference was observed in the levels of total cholesterol

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.031) ... were significantly lower in participants taking berberine plus cinnamon than those taking the placebo capsules.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (P = 0.013) were significantly lower in participants taking berberine plus cinnamon than those taking the placebo capsules.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • The results of the serum lipid profile also indicated a significant difference in the level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.039)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • no difference was observed in the levels of ... triglycerides between the study groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
  • there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day
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