The Therapeutic Roles of Cinnamaldehyde against Cardiovascular Diseases

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.

Cinnamaldehyde has Antifibrotic Effects on Rats with Epidural Fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Laminectomy is a widely employed surgical procedure for the treatment of spinal stenosis, but it may lead to epidural fibrosis (EF) and failed back surgery syndrome. Cinnamaldehyde, a phenylpropanoid found in cinnamon, has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we hypothesized that topical application and systemic administration of cinnamaldehyde could be helpful in the prevention of EF in a rat laminectomy model.

METHODS

The rats were randomly assigned to control, local, and systemic Tween-80 and local and systemic cinnamaldehyde experimental groups (n = 6, per group). In the control group, just laminectomy was performed. In local treatment groups, applications were done just after the laminectomy onto dura. In systemic treatment groups, intraperitoneal administrations were performed following skin suturing. The degree of epidural fibrosis was evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically 4 weeks later.

RESULTS

Macroscopic assessment revealed decreased EF with both topical and systemic cinnamaldehyde application, whereas microscopic examination results were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide the first experimental evidence of cinnamaldehyde's potential protective effects against EF.

Trans-Cinnamaldehyde-Fighting Streptococcus mutans Using Nature

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the main cariogenic bacterium with acidophilic properties, in part due to its acid-producing and -resistant properties. As a result of this activity, hard tooth structures may demineralize and form caries. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) is a phytochemical from the cinnamon plant that has established antibacterial properties for Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. This research sought to assess the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of trans-cinnamaldehyde on S. mutans. TC was diluted to a concentration range of 156.25-5000 μg/mL in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 0.03-1%, an organic solvent. Antibacterial activity was monitored by testing the range of TC concentrations on 24 h planktonic growth compared with untreated S. mutans. The subminimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were used to evaluate the bacterial distribution and morphology in the biofilms. Our in vitro data established a TC MBC of 2500 μg/mL against planktonic S. mutans using a microplate spectrophotometer. Furthermore, the DMSO-only controls showed no antibacterial effect against planktonic S. mutans. Next, the sub-MBC doses exhibited antibiofilm action at TC doses of ≥625 μg/mL on hydroxyapatite discs, as demonstrated through biofilm analysis using spinning-disk confocal microscopy (SDCM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). Our findings show that TC possesses potent antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against S. mutans. Our data insinuate that the most effective sub-MBC of TC to bestow these activities is 625 μg/mL.

Retracted: The Therapeutic Roles of Cinnamaldehyde against Cardiovascular Diseases

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/9177108.].

Effects of scutellarin on the mechanism of cardiovascular diseases: a review

Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant worldwide problem, jeopardizing individuals' physical and mental wellbeing as well as their quality of life as a result of their widespread incidence and fatality. With the aging society, the occurrence of Cardiovascular diseases is progressively rising each year. However, although drugs developed for treating Cardiovascular diseases have clear targets and proven efficacy, they still carry certain toxic and side effect risks. Therefore, finding safe, effective, and practical treatment options is crucial. Scutellarin is the primary constituent of Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz. This article aims to establish a theoretical foundation for the creation and use of secure, productive, and logical medications for Scutellarin in curing heart-related illnesses. Additionally, the examination and analysis of the signal pathway and its associated mechanisms with regard to the employment of SCU in treating heart diseases will impart innovative resolving concepts for the treatment and prevention of Cardiovascular diseases.

Cinnamaldehyde as a Promising Dietary Phytochemical Against Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (METS) is a set of unhealthy medical conditions considered essential health problems today. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is the major phytochemical present in the essential oil of cinnamon and possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and antihyperlipidemic activities.

AIM

We aim to systematically review the effects of CA in preventing and attenuating METS components. Moreover, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of actions of CA, its pharmacokinetics features, and potential structure-activity relationship (SAR) were also surveyed.

METHODS

PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to retrieve the relevant papers.

RESULTS

CA possesses various anti-METS activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidyslipidemia, antiobesity, and antihypertensive properties. Various molecular mechanisms such as stimulating pancreatic insulin release, exerting an insulinotropic effect, lowering lipid peroxidation as well as pancreatic islet oxidant and inflammatory toxicity, increasing the activities of pancreatic antioxidant enzymes, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines production, regulating the molecular signaling pathways of the PPAR-γ and AMPK in preadipocytes and preventing adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis are involved in these activities.

CONCLUSIONS

CA would effectively hinder METS; however, no robust clinical data supporting these effects in humans is currently available. Accordingly, conducting clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy, safe dosage, pharmacokinetics characteristics, and possible unwanted effects of CA in humans would be of great importance.

Cinnamon modulates the pharmacodynamic & pharmacokinetic of amlodipine in hypertensive rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamon on the pharmacodynamic (PD) & pharmacokinetic (PK) of amlodipine in hypertensive rats. The hypertensive control group of Wistar rats received L-NAME (40 mg/kg, daily, orally) only. The cinnamon group of rats was treated with cinnamon (200 mg/kg, daily, orally) along with L-NAME. Following 14 days treatment period, blood pressures of rats were monitored at designated intervals over 24 h utilizing a tail-cuff system for measuring blood pressure. To assess the oral PK; amlodipine was administered as a single oral dose of 1 mg/kg to rats and blood samples were collected at specified intervals over 24 h and analysed by UPLC-LC MS/MS. Synergistic decreased in rat's blood pressure was observed in presence of cinnamon + amlodipine. Simultaneous administration of cinnamon ameliorates the Cmax and AUC0-t of amlodipine, the Cmax and AUC0-t was 11.04 ± 1.01 ng/ml and 113.76 ± 5.62 ng h/ml for the cinnamon + amlodipine group as compared to 4.12 ± 0.49 ng/ml and 48.59 ± 4.28 ng h/ml for the amlodipine alone group. The study demonstrates that the use of cinnamon considerably decreases the blood pressure levels and enhances the PK parameters of amlodipine in hypertensive rats.

Analysis of Essential Oils Components from Aromatic Plants Using Headspace Repellent Method against Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

This research serves as the basis for developing essential oil-based repellent activity tests against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The method used for the isolation of essential oils was the steam distillation method. Virus-free Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were used as test animals by applying the 10% essential oil repellent on the arms of volunteers. The analysis of the essential oils activities and aromas' components was carried out using headspace repellent and GC-MS methods. Based on the results, the yields of essential oil from 5000 g samples for cinnamon bark, clove flowers, patchouli, nutmeg seed, lemongrass, citronella grass, and turmeric rhizome were 1.9%, 16%, 2.2%, 16.8%, 0.9%, 1.4%, and 6.8%, respectively. The activity test showed that the average repellent power of 10% essential oils, patchouli, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, clove flowers, citronella grass, and lemongrass, was 95.2%, 83.8%, 71.4%, 94.7%, 71.4%, 80.4%, and 85%, respectively. Patchouli and cinnamon had the best average repellent power. Meanwhile, the aroma activities showed that the average repellent power of the patchouli oil was 96%, and the cinnamon oil was 94%. From the GC-MS analysis, nine components were identified in the patchouli essential oil aromas' with the highest concentration being patchouli alcohol (42.7%), Azulene, 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,4-dimethyl-7-(1-methylethenyl)-, [1S-(1α,7α,8aβ)] (10.8%), α-guaiene (9.22%), and seychellene (8.19%)., whereas using the GC-MS headspace repellent method showed that there were seven components identified in the patchouli essential oil aroma with a high concentration of the components, which were patchouli alcohol (52.5%), Seychellene (5.2%), and α-guaiene (5.2%). The analysis results of cinnamon essential oil using the GC-MS method showed that there were five components identified in the aroma, with E-cinnamaldehyde (73%) being the highest component, whereas using the GC-MS headspace repellent method showed that there were five components identified in the aroma, with highest concentrations of cinnamaldehyde (86.1%). It can be concluded that the chemical compounds contained in patchouli and cinnamon bark have the potential to be environmentally friendly repellents in controlling and preventing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Brevilin A Inhibits VEGF-Induced Angiogenesis through ROS-Dependent Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Brevilin A (BA), a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Centipeda minima herb, has been identified to exhibit potent anticancer activity. However, the potential pharmacological effect and mechanism of BA in regulating endothelial cell (EC) angiogenesis, a key event in tumor growth, is poorly understood. In this study, BA was shown to significantly prevent vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced EC angiogenic capacities in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Subsequent functional assays revealed that BA dose dependently inhibited VEGF-stimulated survival, proliferation, migration, and triggered apoptosis activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as suppressed the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, increased the expression of proapoptotic protein caspase-3 and Bax, and suppressed PI3K/AKT pathway. Meanwhile, BA was also able to depolarize mitochondrial membranal permeability (MMP), accelerate mitochondrial superoxide accumulation, induce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and decreased intracellular glutathione (GSH) in HUVECs. Furthermore, both mitochondria-specific superoxide scavenger Mito-TEMPOL and broad-spectrum antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) dramatically abolished BA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial ROS production, causing the reversion of PI3K/AKT pathway and repression of apoptosis, eventually correcting the impaired endothelial behavior in survival, growth, migration, and angiogenesis. Collectively, our data for the first time identified a new mechanism for antiangiogenic effect of BA in vascular EC, one that is based on the regulation of mitochondrial-dependent ROS overproduction.