Optimization of green extraction methods for cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde from Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) by response surface methodology

Anticandidal effect of cinnamic acid characterized from Cinnamomum cassia bark against the fluconazole resistant strains of Candida

Candida spp., causes invasive fungal infections, especially in immune-compromised patients and the propensity of antifungal resistance against azole-based drugs need to be addressed. This study is thus aimed to characterize the anticandidal effect of the cinnamic acid extracted from the barks of Cinnamomum cassia. Five species of Fluconazole-resistant Candida sp. were retrieved from the department repertoire. The extraction of CA was performed by three different methods followed by silica gel column chromatography. Eluant was subjected to FTIR and XRD analysis for confirmation. The anticandidal activity of the CA was checked by the agar disc diffusion method and the MIC and MFC were determined. The anti-biofilm effect of CA was assessed using the CLSM technique followed by the biocompatibility check using MTT assay in normal HGF cell lines. CA was best extracted with the hot maceration method using ethanol with a maximum yield of 6.73 mg. Purification by column chromatography was achieved using benzene, acetic acid, and water (6:7:3) mobile phase. CA was confirmed by FTIR with absorption peaks and by XDR based on strong intensity. CA was found to possess promising anticandidal activity at 8 µg/mL with MIC and MFC values determined as 0.8 µg/mL and 0.08 µg/mL respectively. Antibiofilm activity by CLSM analysis revealed biofilm inhibition and was biocompatible at 8.5 µg/ml concentrations in HGF cell lines until 24 h. The study findings conclude that CA is the best alternative to treat candidal infection warranting further experimental preclinical studies.

The role and mechanism of cinnamaldehyde in cancer

As cancer continues to rise globally, there is growing interest in discovering novel methods for prevention and treatment. Due to the limitations of traditional cancer therapies, there has been a growing emphasis on investigating herbal remedies and exploring their potential synergistic effects when combined with chemotherapy drugs. Cinnamaldehyde, derived from cinnamon, has gained significant attention for its potential role in cancer prevention and treatment. Extensive research has demonstrated that cinnamaldehyde exhibits promising anticancer properties by modulating various cellular processes involved in tumor growth and progression. However, challenges and unanswered questions remain regarding the precise mechanisms for its effective use as an anticancer agent. This article aims to explore the multifaceted effects of cinnamaldehyde on cancer cells and shed light on these existing issues. Cinnamaldehyde has diverse anti-cancer mechanisms, including inducing apoptosis by activating caspases and damaging mitochondrial function, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, anti-proliferation, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In addition, cinnamaldehyde also acts as a reactive oxygen species scavenger, reducing oxidative stress and preventing DNA damage and genomic instability. This article emphasizes the promising therapeutic potential of cinnamaldehyde in cancer treatment and underscores the need for future research to unlock novel mechanisms and strategies for combating cancer. By providing valuable insights into the role and mechanism of cinnamaldehyde in cancer, this comprehensive understanding paves the way for its potential as a novel therapeutic agent. Overall, cinnamaldehyde holds great promise as an anticancer agent, and its comprehensive exploration in this article highlights its potential as a valuable addition to cancer treatment options.

Cinnamon: a nutraceutical supplement for the cardiovascular system

Common therapies for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are associated with wide side effects. Thus, herbal medicines have been regarded due to fewer side effects, availability, cultural beliefs, and being cheap. For thousand years, herbal medicine has been used for bacterial infections, colds, coughs, and CVDs. Cinnamon bark contains phenolic compounds such as cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid with protective properties which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cardiac ischemia and hypertrophy, and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, cinnamon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and exhibits beneficial effects on the complications of diabetes, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension which cause CVDs. Although the protective effects of cinnamon on the heart have been reported in many studies, it needs more clinical studies to prove the pharmaceutical and therapeutic efficacy of cinnamon on risk factors of CVDs.

Enrichment of cinnamaldehyde from Cinnamomum cassia by electroosmotic coupled particle-assisted solvent flotation

Cinnamaldehyde has been widely applied in various fields due to its special flavor and various pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The strategy of quick and efficient enrichment for cinnamaldehyde is imperative. In this study, an electroosmotic coupled particle-assisted solvent flotation (ECPASF) system was designed for the cinnamaldehyde enrichment from cinnamon. The response surface method was used to optimize extraction parameters. Under optimal operating conditions, its yield was 9.33 ± 0.11 mg/g. Such high yield of cinnamaldehyde using the ECPASF might be because electroosmosis effectively alters the permeability of plant cells, which facilitates the release of cinnamaldehyde. In addition, both the crude extract of cinnamon and pure cinnamaldehyde showed good antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that the ECPASF system is a sustainable and effective method for the extraction of cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon. It also has the prospect of being extended to the extraction of other natural products.

Updating the status quo on the extraction of bioactive compounds in agro-products using a two-pot multivariate design. A comprehensive review

Extraction is regarded as the most crucial stage in analyzing bioactive compounds. Nonetheless, due to the intricacy of the matrix, numerous aspects must be optimized during the extraction of bioactive components. Although one variable at a time (OVAT) is mainly used, this is time-consuming and laborious. As a result, using an experimental design in the optimization process is beneficial with few experiments and low costs. This article critically reviewed two-pot multivariate techniques employed in extracting bioactive compounds in food in the last decade. First, a comparison of the parametric screening methods (factorial design, Taguchi, and Plackett-Burman design) was delved into, and its advantages and limitations in helping to select the critical extraction parameters were discussed. This was followed by a discussion of the response surface methodologies (central composite (CCD), Doehlert (DD), orthogonal array (OAD), mixture, D-optimal, and Box-Behnken designs (BBD), etc.), which are used to optimize the most critical variables in the extraction of bioactive compounds in food, providing a sequential comprehension of the linear and complex interactions and multiple responses and robustness tests. Next, the benefits, drawbacks, and possibilities of various response surface methodologies (RSM) and some of their usages were discussed, with food chemistry, analysis, and processing from the literature. Finally, extraction of food bioactive compounds using RSM was compared to artificial neural network modeling with their drawbacks discussed. We recommended that future experiments could compare these designs (BBD vs. CCD vs. DD, etc.) in the extraction of food-bioactive compounds. Besides, more research should be done comparing response surface methodologies and artificial neural networks regarding their practicality and limitations in extracting food-bioactive compounds.

A Hybrid RSM-ANN-GA Approach on Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Conditions for Bioactive Component-Rich Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Leaves Extract

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves consist of dietetically important diterpene steviol glycosides (SGs): stevioside (ST) and rebaudioside-A (Reb-A). ST and Reb-A are key sweetening compounds exhibiting a sweetening potential of 100 to 300 times more intense than that of table sucrose. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of SGs was optimized by effective process optimization techniques, such as response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) modeling coupled with genetic algorithm (GA) as a function of ethanol concentration (X₁: 0–100%), sonication time (X₂: 10–54 min), and leaf–solvent ratio (X₃: 0.148–0.313 g·mL⁻¹). The maximum target responses were obtained at optimum UAE conditions of 75% (X₁), 43 min (X₂), and 0.28 g·mL⁻¹ (X₃). ANN-GA as a potential alternative indicated superiority to RSM. UAE as a green technology proved superior to conventional maceration extraction (CME) with reduced resource consumption. Moreover, UAE resulted in a higher total extract yield (TEY) and SGs including Reb-A and ST yields as compared to those that were obtained by CME with a marked reduction in resource consumption and CO₂ emission. The findings of the present study evidenced the significance of UAE as an ecofriendly extraction method for extracting SGs, and UAE scale-up could be employed for effectiveness on an industrial scale. These findings evidenced that the UAE is a high-efficiency extraction method with an improved statistical approach.

Xylochemicals and where to find them

This article surveys a range of important platform and high value chemicals that may be considered primary and secondary 'xylochemicals'. A summary of identified xylochemical substances and their natural sources is provided in tabular form. In detail, this review is meant to provide useful assistance for the consideration of potential synthetic strategies using xylochemicals, new methodologies and the development of potentially sustainable, xylochemistry-based processes. It should support the transition from petroleum-based approaches and help to move towards more sustainability within the synthetic community. This feasible paradigm shift is demonstrated with the total synthesis of natural products and active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as the preparation of organic molecules suitable for potential industrial applications.

In-situ reactive heat breaking cell wall by SO3 hydration: innovative cell-wall breaking technique to enhance extraction of cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon

Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is one of the major active pharmaceutical ingredient of cinnamon bark. Hydrodistillation (HD) is usually used in CA extraction, however, the extraction yield is lower. The cell wall is a key factor limiting the extraction of essential oils. In-situ reactive heat breaking cell wall (RHB) could destroy the cell wall, which was conducive to the diffusion of CA. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of RHB pretreatment to HD extraction. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize RHB pretreatment parameters, and Box-Behnken Design (BBD) method was performed to evaluate the effects of different operating parameters. The maximum yield was increased to 3.31 ± 0.11% (w/w) from 2.08 ± 0.042% (w/w) after RSM optimization. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis showed that RHB destroyed and disrupted the cell wall of cinnamon bark. The GC analysis demonstrated that the purity of cinnamaldehyde was improved and no new components were presented in the extraction product from the cinnamon via RHB pretreatment. In conclusion, RHB is an effective pretreatment method for the CA extraction, and also may be used in the other herbal medicine extraction.

Protective Effects of Cinnamaldehyde against Mesenteric Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Lung and Liver Injuries in Rats

The aim of this study was to characterize and reveal the protective effects of cinnamaldehyde (CA) against mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion- (I/R-) induced lung and liver injuries and the related mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley (SPD) rats were pretreated for three days with 10 or 40 mg/kg/d, ig of CA, and then induced with mesenteric ischemia for 1 h and reperfusion for 2 h. The results indicated that pretreatment with 10 or 40 mg/kg of CA attenuated morphological damage in both lung and liver tissues of mesenteric I/R-injured rats. CA pretreatment significantly restored the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in mesenteric I/R-injured liver tissues, indicating the improvement of hepatic function. CA also significantly attenuated the inflammation via reducing myeloperoxidase (MOP) activity and downregulating the expression of inflammation-related proteins, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), and tumor necrosis factor receptor type-2 (TNFR-2) in both lung and liver tissues of mesenteric I/R-injured rats. Pretreatment with CA significantly downregulated nuclear factor kappa B- (NF-κB-) related protein expressions (NF-κB p65, NF-κB p50, I kappa B alpha (IK-α), and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta (IKKβ)) in both lung and liver tissues of mesenteric I/R-injured rats. CA also significantly downregulated the protein expression of p53 family members, including caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, and p53, and restored Bcl-2 in both lung and liver tissues of mesenteric I/R-injured rats. CA pretreatment significantly reduced TUNEL-apoptotic cells and significantly inhibited p53 and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in both lung and liver tissues of mesenteric I/R-injured rats. CA neither induced pulmonary and hepatic histological alterations nor affected the parameters of inflammation and apoptosis in sham rats. We conclude that CA alleviated mesenteric I/R-induced pulmonary and hepatic injuries via attenuating apoptosis and inflammation through inhibition of NF-κB and p53 pathways in rats, suggesting the potential role of CA in remote organ ischemic injury protection.

In vitro anti-diabetic effects and phytochemical profiling of novel varieties of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (L.) extracts

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) is a leading metabolic disorder in the world. Anti-diabetic actions of phytochemicals from various medicinal herbs have been explored as an alternative therapy in the management of DMT2 due to adverse effects of synthetic drugs used in allopathic medicine. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential and phytochemical profiling were investigated in aqueous extracts of two new Cinnamomum zeylanicum accessions, namely C. zeylanicum Sri Wijaya (SW), C. zeylanicum Sri Gemunu (SG) and commercially available C. zeylanicum (CC).

METHODS

Microwave Digestion (MD), Pressurized Water Extraction (PWE), Steam Distillation (SD), Solvent Extraction (SE), Decoction Water Extraction (DWE) and Infusion Water Extraction (IWE) methods were used to prepare Cinnamon quill extracts. Total phenolic content (TPC, Folin-Ciocalteu method) and Proanthocyanidin content (PC, vanillin assay), α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of Cinnamon extracts were determined spectrophotometrically. The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition were reported in terms of IC50 value. The phytochemical profiling was accomplished by GC-MS technique.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Lowest IC50 values were observed in PWE and DWE of SW. The highest PC and TPC were also observed in PWE and DWE of SW. Pressured water and decoctions are promising methods for the extraction of antidiabetic constituents from cinnamon. Benzoic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and 4-Allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol were identified as major compounds in SW extracts. These compounds are believed to be responsible for strong enzyme inhibitory activity of the extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to explore the use of pressured and decoctions water to extract anti-diabetic phytochemicals from cinnamon. The extensive metabolite profiling of novel SW and SG extracts and comparison of that with commercially available CC are reported for the first time in this study. The C. zeylanicum, SW accession holds some promise in the management of diabetes.

Optimization and validation for quantification for allulose of jelly candies using response surface methodology

A simple, rapid and reliable extraction method for allulose content in jelly were optimized using response surface methodology. The extraction method was selected based on preliminary experiments, with a three-factor, three-level central complex design including 20 experimental runs to optimize the extraction parameters. The optimum extraction factors predicted were temperature of 66 °C, solvent of 74% (v/v) ethanol, and extraction time of 24 min under shaking water bath extraction. The measured parameters were in accordance with the predicted values. The developed analytical method was validated with regard to linearity, accuracy and precision presenting recovery level from 90.79 to 95.18% and detection limits varying from 0.53 to 1.62 mg/mL. Finally, the method will be potentially applicable to a commercial jelly food using optimum extraction.

Cinnamic Acid Conjugates in the Rescuing and Repurposing of Classical Antimalarial Drugs

Cinnamic acids are compounds of natural origin that can be found in many different parts of a wide panoply of plants, where they play the most diverse biological roles, often in a conjugated form. For a long time, this has been driving Medicinal Chemists towards the investigation of the therapeutic potential of natural, semi-synthetic, or fully synthetic cinnamic acid conjugates. These efforts have been steadily disclosing promising drug leads, but a wide chemical space remains that deserves to be further explored. Amongst different reported approaches, the combination or conjugation of cinnamic acids with known drugs has been addressed in an attempt to produce either synergistic or multi-target action. In this connection, the present review will focus on efforts of the past decade regarding conjugation with cinnamic acids as a tool for the rescuing or the repurposing of classical antimalarial drugs, and also on future perspectives in this particular field of research.

Cinnamon subcritical water extract attenuates intestinal inflammation and enhances intestinal tight junction in a Caco-2 and RAW264.7 co-culture model

Cinnamon is known to have several physiological effects; the effects of Cinnamomum japonicum Sieb. on anti-inflammation and tight junctions were investigated using the cellular intestinal inflammation model.