Anti-proliferative effects of cinnamaldehyde on human hepatoma cell lines

Cinnamaldehyde-modified chitosan hybrid nanoparticles for DOX delivering to produce synergistic anti-tumor effects

Cancer cells are under oxidative stress associated with the increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, increasing the oxidative stress of tumor cells by delivering ROS generators is an effective strategy to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Herein, we reported a hybrid nanoparticle based on lactobionic acid (LA) modified chitosan and cinnamaldehyde (CA) modified chitosan, which possesses both active tumor-targeting ability and ROS regulation ability, in order to have a synergistic effect with the anti-tumor drug doxorubicin (DOX). LA can improve the tumor-targeting ability and cellular accumulation of these nanoparticles, and CA can induce apoptotic cell death through ROS generation, mitochondrial permeability transition and caspase activation. The particle size and distribution as well as drug release profiles of these nanoparticles were observed. In vitro and in vivo antitumor studies demonstrated that the hybrid nanoparticles show a significant synergistic antitumor effect. Thus, we anticipate that the hybrid nanoparticles have promising potential as an anticancer drug carrier.

Synthesis, optical properties, determination and imaging in living cells and bamboo of cinnamaldehyde derivatives

Two Schiff-base fluorescent probes (1 and 2) were directly synthesized from natural cinnamaldehyde, and they were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, HRMS. Compound 1 had no fluorescence, while compound 2 could emit significant yellow fluorescence in solid and provide green light in solution. Probe 1 could selectively sense ClO^- with a fluorescence enhancement, providing a good linear relationship between the fluoresence intensity and ClO^- concentrations (0-5.5 × 10^-5 mol/L), y = 175.64x-19.399, R² = 0.9937, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 39.4 nM. Probe 2 was sensitive for Cu²⁺ by quenching with two linear relationships at the Cu²⁺ concentrations from 0 to 2.1 × 10^-5 mol/L, LOD = 73.9 nM. Furthermore, live celluar imaging of human astrocytoma U-251 MG cells and human liver cancer cells (Hu-7) had achieved using the 1 + ClO^- and 2, offering clear intracellular fluorescence. Finally, the 1 + ClO^- and 2 could also be used to dye bamboo tissues for a good use. Thus, the cinnamaldehyde derivatives could be further used in the field of celluar and bamboo imaging.

Self-assembled 5-fluorouracil-cinnamaldehyde nanodrugs for greatly improved chemotherapy in vivo

The preferred cancer treatment is to achieve a high therapeutic effect as well as reduce side effects. In this study, we developed carrier-free nano drugs based on 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and cinnamaldehyde (CA) to meet the above goals. Two model drugs were spliced by acetal linkage and ester bond, which could self-assemble into nano drug particles (5FU-CA NPs) with a size of ∼170 nm. In vitro cell experiments showed 5FU-CA NPs were efficiently internalized by HepG2 cells. They then quickly exerted dual drug activities by the cleavage of acetal and ester bond, resulting in enhanced cell-killing efficacy and apoptosis. Synergistic mechanisms were achieved via the anti-metabolic effects mediated by 5FU-COOH and the oxidative damage induced by CA. In vivo anti-tumor evaluation further indicated that 5FU-CA NPs had higher tumor growth inhibition than 5FU-COOH/CA mixture (5FU-COOH + CA) and exhibited lower systemic toxicity under the same reducing dose of each drug. Overall, this is a successful synergistic anti-tumor attempt through rational self-assembly of drugs with different mechanisms and it can be extrapolated to other agents.

Antioxidant activity and quality attributes of white chocolate incorporated with Cinnamomum burmannii Blume essential oil

White chocolate is often considered as an unhealthy product with low phenolic content and antioxidant activity since it does not contain cocoa liquor. In this study, investigation on the phytochemical composition of cinnamon essential oil as well as its potential use to improve the antioxidant activity of white chocolate were carried out. The effect of the essential oil incorporation on the quality attributes of white chocolate was also examined. The results show that cinnamon essential oil was rich in cinnamaldehyde and exhibited antioxidant activity. The incorporation of cinnamon essential oil at a level of 0.1% (w/w) increased the antioxidant activity of the white chocolate more than twofold without significant effect on its hardness, melting properties and colour. However, a slight alteration on the flow behaviour of the white chocolate was observed. This study clearly shows that natural cinnamon essential oil could be an alternative to synthetic additives in foods to improve their antioxidant activity.

Acidity-triggered zwitterionic prodrug nano-carriers with AIE properties and amplification of oxidative stress for mitochondria-targeted cancer theranostics

A TPE-based polyurethane prodrug has been established for mitochondria-targeting drug delivery and real-time monitoring.

Cytotoxicity of chemical constituents from Torricellia tiliifolia DC. on Spodoptera litura (SL-1) cells

In this study, we evaluated cytotoxicity of chemicals isolated from Torricellia tiliifolia DC. on Spodoptera litura (SL-1) cell line. Among the isolated compounds, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde, and syringaresinol inhibited SL-1 cell survival in both dose- and time-dependent manners. Meanwhile, the in vivo insecticidal activity test revealed that 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde showed obvious insecticidal activities. These two compounds exhibited toxicity to SL-1 cells by inducing cellular morphological changes including shape change, cell shrinkage, vacuolation, cell membrane blebbing and chromatin condensation and apoptosis. 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde showed the most effect on mitochondrial membrane depolarization at 24h and 72h respectively and induced the apoptosis at a late time point 72h. Our results suggest that 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde inhibit SL-1 survival by inducing apoptosis.

Studies on the Anti-Oxidative Function of trans-Cinnamaldehyde-Included β-Cyclodextrin Complex

trans-Cinnamaldehyde (tCIN), an active compound found in cinnamon, is well known for its antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. The β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) oligomer has been used for a variety of applications in nanotechnology, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of tCIN self-included in β-CD complexes (CIs) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with increasing concentrations of β-CD, tCIN, or CIs for different times. β-CD alone did not affect the production of nitric oxide (NO) or reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, both tCIN and CI significantly reduced NO and ROS production. Thus, CIs may have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, similar to those of tCIN when used alone.

Anticarcinogenic Effect of Spices Due to Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds-In Vitro Evaluation on Prostate Cells

This study shows the effects of spices, and their phenolic and flavonoid compounds, on prostate cell lines (PNT1A, 22RV1 and PC3). The results of an MTT assay on extracts from eight spices revealed the strongest inhibitory effects were from black pepper and caraway seed extracts. The strongest inhibitory effect on prostatic cells was observed after the application of extracts of spices in concentration of 12.5 mg·mL^-1. An LC/MS analysis identified that the most abundant phenolic and flavonoid compounds in black pepper are 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and naringenin chalcone, while the most abundant phenolic and flavonoid compounds in caraway seeds are neochlorogenic acid and apigenin. Using an MTT assay for the phenolic and flavonoid compounds from spices, we identified the IC₅₀ value of ~1 mmol·L^-1 PNT1A. The scratch test demonstrated that the most potent inhibitory effect on PNT1A, 22RV1 and PC3 cells is from the naringenin chalcone contained in black pepper. From the spectrum of compounds assessed, the naringenin chalcone contained in black pepper was identified as the most potent inhibitor of the growth of prostate cells.

Antitumor phenylpropanoids found in essential oils

The search for new bioactive substances with anticancer activity and the understanding of their mechanisms of action are high-priorities in the research effort toward more effective treatments for cancer. The phenylpropanoids are natural products found in many aromatic and medicinal plants, food, and essential oils. They exhibit various pharmacological activities and have applications in the pharmaceutical industry. In this review, the anticancer potential of 17 phenylpropanoids and derivatives from essential oils is discussed. Chemical structures, experimental report, and mechanisms of action of bioactive substances are presented.

α-Hexylcinnamaldehyde inhibits the genotoxicity of environmental pollutants in the bacterial reverse mutation assay

The antimutagenicity of α-hexylcinnamaldehyde (1), a semisynthetic and more stable derivative of cinnamaldehyde, was evaluated against common environmental pollutants in the bacterial reverse mutation assay. The pre-, co-, and post-treatment protocols were applied to assess the involvement of desmutagenic and/or bioantimutagenic mechanisms. Compound 1 (9-900 μM) produced a strong antimutagenicity (>40% inhibition) in the Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strain against the nitroarenes 2-nitrofluorene and 1-nitropyrene in almost all experimental conditions. A strong inhibition was also reached against the nitroarene 1,8-dinitropyrene and the arylamine 2-aminoanthracene in the cotreatment at the highest concentrations tested. In order to evaluate if an inhibition of bacterial nitroreductase (NR) and O-acetyltransferase (OAT) could be involved in the antimutagenicity of 1 against nitroarenes, the substance was further tested against 1-nitropyrene (activated by both NR and OAT) in TA98NR and TA98 1,8-DNP strains (lacking the NR and OAT enzymes, respectively). Although both desmutagenic and bioantimutagenic mechanisms appear mostly involved in the antimutagenicity of 1, based on data obtained in the TA98NR strain, applying the pretreatment protocol, compound 1 seems to act as an inhibitor of the OAT-mediated mutagen bioactivation. These results provide justification for further studies on 1 as a possible chemopreventive agent.