Influence of Cinnamon Supplementation on Liver Enzymes in Male Rabbits

Abstract

The liver, a vital organ in the body, plays a central role in managing the metabolism of both internal and external substances. It is crucial for drug processing and detoxification; however, it is vulnerable to damage from foreign chemicals, alcohol intake, poor nutrition, environmental pollutants, illnesses, and various medications. Besides being commonly used as a spice, the inner bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.) has gained popularity for its applications in disease prevention and treatment. Current evidence has indicated potential health benefits associated with cinnamon intake; however, its effects on liver function remain unclear. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of cinnamon supplementation on liver enzymes in male rabbits. Relevant studies were identified through a comprehensive search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases up to September 2023. Ten male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: (1) a control group, and (2) a group treated with cinnamon at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples and liver homogenates were used to assess liver function markers in both serum and liver tissue. The results showed that cinnamon treatment led to a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the activity of blood plasma and liver enzymes "LDH", "AST", and "ALT", while "ALP" and "AcP" levels significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to the control group. Further high-quality studies are necessary, especially in populations with abnormal liver enzyme levels, to more definitively establish the clinical efficacy of cinnamon on liver function.