Effects of Cinnamaldehyde on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetic Mice via the FXR/FGF15 Signaling Pathway

Authors

  • Jueliang Li Shenzhen Nanshan Medical Group Headquarter, Shenzhen, China Author
  • Wei Chen Shenzhen Nanshan Medical Group Headquarter, Shenzhen, China Author
  • Lizhu Wu Shenzhen Nanshan Medical Group Headquarter, Shenzhen, China Author
  • Honglei Zhao Fuwai Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70088/e6q57k68

Keywords:

cinnamaldehyde, type 2 diabetes, bile acids, farnesoid x receptor, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde (CA) on glucose and lipid metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and to explore the underlying mechanism involving the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) signaling pathway. Methods: Forty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8 per group): normal control, model, metformin, and low-, medium-, and high-dose CA groups (20, 40, and 120 mg/kg, respectively). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (150 mg/kg). Fasting blood glucose and serum lipid profiles were measured. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of CYP7A1, FGFR4, FXR, TGR5, FGF15, and Gcg in the liver and small intestine was determined by RT-qPCR. Results: Compared with the model group, medium-dose CA (40 mg/kg) significantly up-regulated hepatic CYP7A1, TGR5, and FXR mRNA expression, increased intestinal Gcg expression, reduced fasting blood glucose and serum triglyceride levels, and partially reversed the model-associated reduction in serum LDL-C. The medium dose produced the most pronounced improvement, whereas high-dose CA (120 mg/kg) aggravated glucolipid metabolic disorders and further suppressed CYP7A1 expression. Conclusion: Medium-dose cinnamaldehyde ameliorates glucolipid metabolic disorders in STZ-induced diabetic mice, likely by up-regulating hepatic CYP7A1 to promote de novo bile acid synthesis and by modulating the intestinal FXR/FGF15 and TGR5/GLP-1 signaling pathways, providing an experimental basis for developing cinnamaldehyde as a potential antidiabetic agent.

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Published

13 October 2026

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 5 (2026)

Section

Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Jueliang Li, Wei Chen, Lizhu Wu, Honglei Zhao (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Li, J. (2026) “Effects of Cinnamaldehyde on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetic Mice via the FXR/FGF15 Signaling Pathway”, Medicine Insights, 3(5), pp. 65–74. doi:10.70088/e6q57k68.