Cinnamaldehyde is the main mediator of cinnamon extract in mast cell inhibition

Anti-inflammatory and tissue repair effect of cinnamaldehyde and nano cinnamaldehyde on gingival fibroblasts and macrophages

BACKGROUND

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis has a complex and inflammatory origin. Among the great variety of medications it is increasingly common to use herbal medicines due to the adverse side effects of chemical medications. Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamaldehyde and the lack of studies related to the effectiveness of its nano form; This study investigates the effect of cinnamaldehyde and nano cinnamaldehyde on the healing rate of recurrent aphthous stomatitis lesions.

METHODS

In a laboratory experiment, cinnamaldehyde was converted into niosomal nanoparticles. The niosome vesicles diameter and polydispersity index were measured at 25°C using a dynamic light scattering (DLS) Mastersizer 2000 (Malvern Panalytical technologies: UK) and Zetasizer Nano ZS system (Malvern Instruments Worcestershire: UK). After characterizing these particles, the (2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide) [XTT] assay was used to assess the toxicity of cinnamaldehyde and nano cinnamaldehyde on gingival fibroblast (HGF) and macrophage (THP-1) cells. By determining the release of TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β cytokines using ELISA kits, the level of tissue repair and anti-inflammatory capabilities of these two substances were evaluated.

RESULTS

The size and loading rate of the cinnamaldehyde nanoparticles were established after its creation. The optimized nanovesicle exhibited the following characteristics: particle size of 228.75 ± 2.38 nm, PDI of 0.244 ± 0.01, the zeta potential of -10.87 ± 1.09 mV and the drug encapsulation percentage of 66.72 ± 3.93%. PDIs range was between 0.242-0.274. The zeta potential values at 25°C were from -2.67 to -12.9 mV. The results of the XTT test demonstrated that nano cinnamaldehyde exhibited dose-dependent toxicity effects. Moreover, nano cinnamaldehyde released more TGF-β and had better reparative effects when taken at lower concentrations than cinnamaldehyde.

CONCLUSION

Nano cinnamaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde are effective in repairing tissue when used in non-toxic amounts. After confirmation in animal models, it is envisaged that these substances can be utilized to treat recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Effects of Dietary Components on Mast Cells: Possible Use as Nutraceuticals for Allergies?

Allergic diseases affect an estimated 30 percent of the world's population. Mast cells (MC) are the key effector cells of allergic reactions by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine, lipid mediators, and cytokines/chemokines. Components of the daily diet, including certain fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins, as well as secondary plant components, may have effects on MC and thus may be of interest as nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of allergies. This review summarizes the anti-inflammatory effects of dietary components on MC, including the signaling pathways involved, in in vitro and in vivo models. Butyrate, calcitriol, kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin, resveratrol, curcumin, and cinnamon extract were the most effective in suppressing the release of preformed and de novo synthesized mediators from MC or in animal models. In randomized controlled trials (RCT), vitamin D, quercetin, O-methylated epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, curcumin, and cinnamon extract improved symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) and reduced the number of inflammatory cells in patients. However, strategies to overcome the poor bioavailability of these nutrients are an important part of current research.

Spices and Biomarkers of COVID-19: A Mechanistic and Therapeutic Perspective

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people around the world have increased their healthy behaviors to prevent transmission of the virus and potentially improve their immune systems. Therefore, the role of diet and food compounds such as spices with bioactive and antiviral properties may be important in these efforts. In this chapter, we review the efficacy of spices such as turmeric (curcumin), cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, saffron, capsaicin, and cumin by investigating the effects of these compounds of COVID-19 disease severity biomarkers.

Cinnamon and its possible impact on COVID-19: The viewpoint of traditional and conventional medicine

The COVID-19 global epidemic caused by coronavirus has affected the health and other aspects of life for more than one year. Despite the current pharmacotherapies, there is still no specific treatment, and studies are in progress to find a proper therapy with high efficacy and low side effects. In this way, Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM), due to its holistic view, can provide recommendations for the prevention and treatment of new diseases such as COVID-19. The muco-obstruction of the airway, which occurs in SARS-CoV-2, has similar features in TPM textbooks that can lead us to new treatment approaches. Based on TPM and pharmacological studies, Cinnamomum verum (Darchini)'s potential effective functions can contribute to SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment and has been known to be effective in corona disease in Public beliefs. From the viewpoint of TPM theories, Cinnamon can be effective in SARS-CoV-2 improvement and treatment through its anti-obstructive, diuretic, tonic and antidote effects. In addition, there is pharmacological evidence on anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, organ-o-protective and anti-depression effects of Cinnamon that are in line with the therapeutic functions mentioned in TPM.Overall, Cinnamon and its ingredients can be recommended for SARS-CoV2 management due to multi-targeting therapies. This review provides basic information for future studies on this drug's effectiveness in preventing and treating COVID-19 and similar diseases.

Biomedical Effects of the Phytonutrients Turmeric, Garlic, Cinnamon, Graviola, and Oregano: A Comprehensive Review

Phytonutrients are plant foods that contain many natural bioactive compounds, called phytochemicals, which show specific biological activities. These phytonutrients and their phytochemicals may play an important role in health care maintaining normal organism functions (as preventives) and fighting against diseases (as therapeutics). Phytonutrients’ components are the primary metabolites (i.e., proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and phytochemicals or secondary metabolites (i.e., phenolics, alkaloids, organosulfides, and terpenes). For years, several phytonutrients and their phytochemicals have demonstrated specific pharmacological and therapeutic effects in human health such as anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and immune response. This review summarizes the effects of the most studied or the most popular phytonutrients (i.e., turmeric, garlic, cinnamon, graviola, and oregano) and any reported contraindications. This article also presents the calculated physicochemical properties of the main phytochemicals in the selected phytonutrients using Lipinski’s, Veber’s, and Ghose’s rules. Based on our revisions for this article, all these phytonutrients have consistently shown great potential as preventives and therapeutics on many diseases in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies.

Resveratrol Is a Natural Inhibitor of Human Intestinal Mast Cell Activation and Phosphorylation of Mitochondrial ERK1/2 and STAT3

Mast cells play a critical role as main effector cells in allergic and other inflammatory diseases. Usage of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals could be of interest for affected patients. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol found in red grapes, is known for its positive properties. Here, we analyzed the effects of resveratrol on FcεRI-mediated activation of mature human mast cells isolated from intestinal tissue (hiMC). Resveratrol inhibited degranulation and expression of cytokines and chemokines such as CXCL8, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. Further, resveratrol inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3. ERK1/2 is known to be involved in cytokine expression of hiMC and to directly interact with STAT3. Mitochondrial STAT3 is phosphorylated by ERK1/2 and contributes to mast cell degranulation. We were able to isolate mitochondrial fractions from small hiMC numbers and could show that activation of mitochondrial STAT3 and ERK1/2 in hiMC was also inhibited by resveratrol. Our results indicate that resveratrol inhibits hiMC activation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of mitochondrial and nuclear ERK1/2 and STAT3, and it could be considered as an anti-inflammatory nutraceutical in the treatment of mast cell-associated diseases.

Targets and Mechanism Used by Cinnamaldehyde, the Main Active Ingredient in Cinnamon, in the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer has become one of the most common malignant tumors in women owing to its increasing incidence each year. Clinical studies have shown that Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl (cinnamon) has a positive influence on the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Aim: We aimed to screen the potential targets of cinnamon in the treatment of breast cancer through network pharmacology and explore its potential therapeutic mechanism through cell experiments.

Methods: We used the TCMSP, TCM Database @ Taiwan, and TCMID websites and established the active ingredient and target database of cinnamon. Thereafter, we used the GeneCards and OMIM databases to establish a breast cancer-related target database, which matched the cinnamon target database. Based on the matching results, the STRING database was used to analyze the interaction between the targets, and the biological information annotation database was used to analyze the biological process of the target (gene ontology) and the pathway enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). After establishing the layout of the analysis, we used Cytoscape 3.6.0 software for network analysis. Finally, the cell experiment was used to verify the anti-breast cancer effect of cinnamaldehyde.

Results: Our research showed that the main components of cinnamon, including cinnamaldehyde, can play a role in the treatment of breast cancer through 59 possible important targets. Subsequently, enrichment analysis by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed that 83 cell biological processes and 37 pathways were associated with breast cancer (p < 0.05), including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and PI3K-Akt pathway, which are closely related to tumor cell apoptosis. In vitro cell verification experiments showed that cinnamaldehyde can significantly inhibit cell proliferation, change cell morphology, inhibit cell migration and invasion ability, and promote cell apoptosis.

Conclusion: Our results showed that cinnamaldehyde is a potential novel drug for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.

A review: the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology of Cinnamomi cortex

Cinnamomi Cortex (CC) is the dried bark of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl. Modern pharmacological research shows that CC can be used to treat diabetes, breast cancer, leukemia and other diseases. It has been used for more than 2000 years in China, mainly distributed in Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan and Fujian. In this paper, the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and other aspects of CC are summarized. We hope to provide convenience for the further exploration and development of CC. There are more than 300 components isolated from CC including essential oils, polyphenols, diterpenes and sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, polysaccharides and others. Pharmacological studies show that CC has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, improving glucose and lipid metabolism, neuroprotection and so on. It shows that CC has great potential to develop into a cheap, low-toxicity and highly-efficient natural therapeutic drug. However, there is still a long way to go for research of CC, although great progress has been made. For instance, clinical practices for CC recorded in traditional medicine books need to be paid more attention. Present achievements are still not enough to clearly explain the mechanism for some diseases. New skeletons and new drugs will be required to be discovered, so that the potential of CC can be brought into full play.

Cinnamomi Cortex (CC) is the dried bark of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl.

Anti-Allergic Potential of Cinnamaldehyde via the Inhibitory Effect of Histidine Decarboxylase (HDC) Producing Klebsiella pneumonia

Allergy is an immunological disorder that develops in response to exposure to an allergen, and histamines mediate these effects via histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity at the intracellular level. In the present study, we developed a 3D model of Klebsiella pneumoniae histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and analyzed the HDC inhibitory potential of cinnamaldehyde (CA) and subsequent anti-allergic potential using a bacterial and mammalian mast cell model. A computational and in vitro study using K. pneumonia revealed that CA binds to HDC nearby the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) binding site and inhibited histamine synthesis in a bacterial model. Further study using a mammalian mast cell model also showed that CA decreased the levels of histamine in the stimulated RBL-2H3 cell line and attenuated the release of β-hexoseaminidase and cell degranulation. In addition, CA treatment also significantly suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 and the nitric oxide (NO) level in the stimulated mast cells. A gene expression and Western blotting study revealed that CA significantly downregulated the expressions of MAPKp38/ERK and its downstream pro-allergic mediators that are involved in the signaling pathway in mast cell cytokine synthesis. This study further confirms that CA has the potential to attenuate mast cell activation by inhibiting HDC and modifying the process of allergic disorders.

Mast Cell Regulation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Effects of Food Components with Potential Nutraceutical Use

Mast cells are key actors in inflammatory reactions. Upon activation, they release histamine, heparin and nerve growth factor, among many other mediators that modulate immune response and neuron sensitization. One important feature of mast cells is that their population is usually increased in animal models and biopsies from patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, mast cells and mast cell mediators are regarded as key components in IBS pathophysiology. IBS is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting the quality of life of up to 20% of the population worldwide. It is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, with heterogeneous phenotypes ranging from constipation to diarrhea, with a mixed subtype and even an unclassified form. Nutrient intake is one of the triggering factors of IBS. In this respect, certain components of the daily food, such as fatty acids, amino acids or plant-derived substances like flavonoids, have been described to modulate mast cells' activity. In this review, we will focus on the effect of these molecules, either stimulatory or inhibitory, on mast cell degranulation, looking for a nutraceutical capable of decreasing IBS symptoms.

Synopsis

Akute entzündliche Reaktionen bzw. der akute Infekt mit Restitutio ad integrum laufen in einer perfekt modulierten Kaskade ab, bei dem eine akute inflammatorische Einleitungsphase von einer antiinflammatorischen Phase und einer Entzündungsauflösungsphase abgelöst werden.

Cinnamon extract inhibits allergen-specific immune responses in human and murine allergy models

BACKGROUND

Ceylon cinnamon has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties in many diseases including allergic inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyse in more detail the effects of cinnamon extract (CE) and its major compounds p-cymene and trans-cinnamaldehyde (CA) on allergen-specific immune responses in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Therefore, monocyte-derived mature dendritic cells (DC) from grass or birch pollen allergic donors were pulsed with the respective allergen in the presence or absence of CE, p-cymene, CA or the solvent ethanol and co-cultured with autologous CD4⁺ T cells. Furthermore, basophil activation test was performed with or without CE or ethanol treatment. For the in vivo experiments, BALB/c mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) and orally treated with CE or ethanol.

RESULTS

Addition of CE, p-cymene or CA, but not ethanol significantly inhibited DC maturation and subsequent allergen-specific T cell proliferation as well as Th1 and Th2 cytokine production. Sulphidoleukotriene release and CD63 expression by basophils were also significantly diminished after addition of CE. In vivo, treatment of OVA-sensitized mice with CE led to a significant shift from OVA-specific IgE towards IgG2a production and to a strong inhibition of OVA-specific proliferation. Moreover, airway inflammation as well as anaphylaxis after intranasal or systemic allergen challenge was significantly reduced in CE-treated mice. Furthermore, topical application of CE prevented calcipotriol-induced atopic dermatitis-like inflammation in these mice.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Taken together, our data indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of cinnamon might be exploited for treatment of allergic inflammation, which needs to be further investigated.

Screening of herbal extracts for TLR2- and TLR4-dependent anti-inflammatory effects

Herbal extracts represent an ample source of natural compounds, with potential to be used in improving human health. There is a growing interest in using natural extracts as possible new treatment strategies for inflammatory diseases. We therefore aimed at identifying herbal extracts that affect inflammatory signaling pathways through toll-like receptors (TLRs), TLR2 and TLR4. Ninety-nine ethanolic extracts were screened in THP-1 monocytes and HeLa-TLR4 transfected reporter cells for their effects on stimulated TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways. The 28 identified anti-inflammatory extracts were tested in comparative assays of stimulated HEK-TLR2 and HEK-TLR4 transfected reporter cells to differentiate between direct TLR4 antagonistic effects and interference with downstream signaling cascades. Furthermore, the ten most effective anti-inflammatory extracts were tested on their ability to inhibit nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation in HeLa-TLR4 transfected reporter cell lines and for their ability to repolarize M1-type macrophages. Ethanolic extracts which showed the highest anti-inflammatory potential, up to a complete inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production were Castanea sativa leaves, Cinchona pubescens bark, Cinnamomum verum bark, Salix alba bark, Rheum palmatum root, Alchemilla vulgaris plant, Humulus lupulus cones, Vaccinium myrtillus berries, Curcuma longa root and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaves. Moreover, all tested extracts mitigated not only TLR4, but also TLR2 signaling pathways. Seven of them additionally inhibited translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus. Two of the extracts showed impact on repolarization of pro-inflammatory M1-type to anti-inflammatory M2-type macrophages. Several promising anti-inflammatory herbal extracts were identified in this study, including extracts with previously unknown influence on key TLR signaling pathways and macrophage repolarization, serving as a basis for novel lead compound identification.

Anti-inflammatory effects of cinnamon extract and identification of active compounds influencing the TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways

Cinnamon extract and its active compounds attenuate TLR2-/TLR4-mediated inflammatory processes.

Pharmacological treatment options for mast cell activation disease

Mast cell activation disease (MCAD) is a term referring to a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by aberrant release of variable subsets of mast cell (MC) mediators together with accumulation of either morphologically altered and immunohistochemically identifiable mutated MCs due to MC proliferation (systemic mastocytosis [SM] and MC leukemia [MCL]) or morphologically ordinary MCs due to decreased apoptosis (MC activation syndrome [MCAS] and well-differentiated SM). Clinical signs and symptoms in MCAD vary depending on disease subtype and result from excessive mediator release by MCs and, in aggressive forms, from organ failure related to MC infiltration. In most cases, treatment of MCAD is directed primarily at controlling the symptoms associated with MC mediator release. In advanced forms, such as aggressive SM and MCL, agents targeting MC proliferation such as kinase inhibitors may be provided. Targeted therapies aimed at blocking mutant protein variants and/or downstream signaling pathways are currently being developed. Other targets, such as specific surface antigens expressed on neoplastic MCs, might be considered for the development of future therapies. Since clinicians are often underprepared to evaluate, diagnose, and effectively treat this clinically heterogeneous disease, we seek to familiarize clinicians with MCAD and review current and future treatment approaches.

Prime and boost aerosol exposure via fog machine or shisha smoke followed by cinnamon hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis to spiced food

BACKGROUND

Cinnamon aldehyde (alias cinnamaldehyde) is widely used in food, textile or cosmetic industry. It is mostly associated with contact allergy, but immediate type allergies have been reported. The present study was triggered by a case of anaphylactic events to cinnamon in food and upon skin prick test. We investigated a possible correlation of exposure to a disco fog machine and/or shisha consumption with immediate type hypersensitivity to cinnamon aldehyde in the patient and healthy volunteers.

METHODS & RESULTS

In both fog machines and shisha pipes heating of glycerol-based fluids before evaporation renders chemical transversion to malodorous acrolein. Therefore, both methods are frequently operated with aroma additives. Cinnamon aldehyde and derivatives could be detected by gas chromatography in sampled fog flavored with cola fragrance. The patient as well as healthy (mostly female) volunteers were skin prick tested using cinnamon aldehyde diluted in 0.9 % NaCl, Vaseline® or fog fluid. Persons with a history of exposure to disco fog or shisha (n = 10, mean 32.8 years) reacted with a significantly larger wheal and flare reaction in the skin test (p = 0.0115, p = 0.0146, or p = 0.098) than the non-exposed (n = 8, mean 37.3 years). Both groups were gender matched, but differed in the mean age by 4.5 years. This reaction was specific as compared to skin reactivity to cinnamon alcohol, with only a trend to higher reactivity in exposed persons (ns).

CONCLUSION

From our data we conclude that hapten fragrances such as cinnamon aldehyde may during heating in glycerol fluids associate to complete antigens and via inspiration lead to specific immediate type hypersensitivity. In some cases the hypersensitivity may be unmasked by spiced food containing cinnamon aldehyde or related chemicals, and lead to severe adverse reactions.