ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the impact of essential oil (cinnamon oil) from Cinnamomum cassia (EOCC) on Clostridia flora IV and Bacteroides in gut of normal rats. Methods: SD rats were administered with EOCC (0.384 3 g/kg) for 30 d and the colon and rectal contents were sampled. The population, diversity, and distribution of Clostridium flora IV and Bacteroides in the samples were analyzed by the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) method based on the intestinal flora 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Results: Both the intestinal flora population, diversity, and distribution of Clostridia flora IV and Bacteroides changed significantly due to the injection, especially for Clostridia flora IV. Additionally, EOCC exerted the different effects on colon and rectal microflora. Conclusion: The effects of EOCC on Clostridia flora IV and Bacteroides in gut might be the functional mechanism of cinnamon oil in curing obesity and diabetes.