Antiinflammatory effects of essential oil from the leaves of Cinnamomum cassia and cinnamaldehyde on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774A.1 cells

Natural Products as Dietary Agents for the Prevention and Mitigation of Oxidative Damage and Inflammation in the Intestinal Barrier

Food intake is a basic need to sustain life, but foodborne pathogens and food-related xenobiotics are also the main health concerns regarding intestinal barrier homeostasis. With a predominant role in the well-being of the entire human body, intestinal barrier homeostasis is strictly regulated by epithelial and immune cells. These cells are also the main intervenients in oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases in the intestinal tract, triggered, for example, by genetic/epigenetic factors, food additives, pesticides, drugs, pathogens, and their metabolites. Nevertheless, the human diet can also be seen as a solution for the problem, mainly via the inclusion of functional foods or nutraceuticals that may act as antioxidant/anti-inflammatory agents to prevent and mitigate acute and chronic oxidative damage and inflammation. A literature analysis of recent advances in this topic highlights the significant role of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) pathways in these biological processes, with many natural products and phytochemicals targeting endogenous antioxidant systems and cytokine production and balance. In this review, we summarized and discussed studies using in vitro and in vivo models of the intestinal tract used to reproduce oxidative damage and inflammatory events, as well as the role of natural products as modulators of Nrf2 and NK-kB pathways.

Cinnamaldehyde protects donor heart from cold ischemia-reperfusion injury via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

With the growing shortage of organs, improvements in donor organ protection are needed to meet the increasing demands for transplantation. Here, the aim was to investigate the protective effect of cinnamaldehyde against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in donor hearts exposed to prolonged cold ischemia. Donor hearts were harvested from rats pretreated with or without cinnamaldehyde, then subjected to 24 h of cold preservation and 1 h of ex vivo perfusion. Hemodynamic changes, myocardial inflammation, oxidative stress, and myocardial apoptosis were evaluated. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway involved in the cardioprotective effects of cinnamaldehyde was explored through RNA sequencing and western blot analysis. Intriguingly, cinnamaldehyde pretreatment remarkably improved cardiac function through increasing coronary flow, left ventricular systolic pressure, +dp/dtmax, and -dp/dtmax, decreasing coronary vascular resistance and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Moreover, our findings indicated that cinnamaldehyde pretreatment protected the heart from IRI by alleviating myocardial inflammation, attenuating oxidative stress, and reducing myocardial apoptosis. Further studies showed that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was activated after cinnamaldehyde treatment during IRI. The protective effects of cinnamaldehyde were abolished by LY294002. In conclusion, cinnamaldehyde pretreatment alleviated IRI in donor hearts suffering from prolonged cold ischemia. Cinnamaldehyde exerted cardioprotective effects through the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Phytogenic Substances against Secret Killers in Poultry: Current Status and Prospects

Chronic stress is recognized as a secret killer in poultry. It is associated with systemic inflammation due to cytokine release, dysbiosis, and the so-called leaky gut syndrome, which mainly results from oxidative stress reactions that damage the barrier function of the cells lining the gut wall. Poultry, especially the genetically selected broiler breeds, frequently suffer from these chronic stress symptoms when exposed to multiple stressors in their growing environments. Since oxidative stress reactions and inflammatory damages are multi-stage and long-term processes, overshooting immune reactions and their down-stream effects also negatively affect the animal's microbiota, and finally impair its performance and commercial value. Means to counteract oxidative stress in poultry and other animals are, therefore, highly welcome. Many phytogenic substances, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds, are known to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this review, firstly, the main stressors in poultry, such as heat stress, mycotoxins, dysbiosis and diets that contain oxidized lipids that trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, are discussed, along with the key transcription factors involved in the related signal transduction pathways. Secondly, the most promising phytogenic substances and their current applications to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in poultry are highlighted.

The effect of ultrasound-guided acupotomy and Juanbi decoction on lumbar disc herniation: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Acupotomy as well as Juanbi decoction has been used in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. However, there is no study on ultrasound-guided acupotomy combined with Juanbi decoction in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

METHOD

This study was supported by the Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine [grant number: 2020LC0163] and the Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province [grant number: 2022YFS0418]. This study was 3 center, open, randomized, controlled trial, and was carried out from December 2020 to December 2022. A total of 60 eligible patients with LDH were split into group A and group B at random. The group B received Juanbi Decoction 3 times daily for 2 weeks along with an acupotomy assisted by ultrasound. The acupotomy was administered once a week. The same protocol was used with the group A, but the Juanbi Decoction was replaced with normal saline.

OBSERVATION INDEX

Visual analogue scale (VAS) score on 1 day and 1 week after treatment, VAS score, Japanese orthopedic association low back pain score(JOA) rate, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and low back outcome scale (LBOS) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment in 2 groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in general information, VAS score before treatment, JOA, ODI, and LBOS between the 2 groups (P > .05). Intra-group comparison: VAS score, JOA rate, ODI, and LBOS were compared before and after treatment in both groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). There were significant differences in VAS and LBOS between the 2 groups at 3 and 6 months after treatment, and there were statistically significant differences in ODI and JOA rates at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Acupotomy aided by ultrasound combined with Juanbi Decoction significantly relieves lumbar pain and can improve lumbar function in patients with LDH, and the clinical efficacy lasts for about 6 months.

Neocinnamomum caudatum Essential Oil Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB Activation and ROS Production

Neocinnamomum caudatum (Lauraceae) plant is used in the traditional system of medicine and is considered a potential source of edible fruits, spices, flavoring agents and biodiesel. The leaves, bark and roots of the species are used by local communities for the treatment of inflammatory responses, such as allergies, sinusitis and urinary tract infections. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the molecular mechanism through which this plant exerts its anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of the current research was to characterize the chemical constituents of bark (NCB) and leaf (NCL) essential oil of N. caudatum and to elucidate its anti-inflammatory action in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation were further subjected to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The major constituents in bark essential oil identified as β-pinene (13.11%), α-cadinol (11.18%) and α-pinene (10.99%), whereas leaf essential oil was found to be rich in β-pinene (45.21%), myrcene (9.97%) and α-pinene (9.27%). Treatment with NCB and NCL at a concentration of 25 µg/mL exerted significant anti-inflammatory activity by significantly reducing LPS-triggered nitric oxide (NO) production to 45.86% and 61.64%, respectively, compared to the LPS-treated group. In the LPS-treated group, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, decreased after treatment with essential oil, alleviating the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. The essential oil also inhibited the production of intracellular ROS and attenuated the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with NCB also reduced nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/p65 translocation and elevated the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in LPS-induced macrophages. The present findings, for the first time, demonstrate the anti-inflammatory potential of both bark and leaf essential oils of N. caudatum. The bark essential oil exhibited a significantly more important anti-inflammatory effect than the leaf essential oil and could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

The Therapeutic Roles of Cinnamaldehyde against Cardiovascular Diseases

Evidence from epidemiological studies has demonstrated that the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) increase year by year, which pose a great threat on social economy and human health worldwide. Due to limited therapeutic benefits and associated adverse effects of current medications, there is an urgent need to uncover novel agents with favorable safety and efficacy. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a bioactive phytochemical isolated from the stem bark of Chinese herbal medicine Cinnamon and has been suggested to possess curative roles against the development of CVDs. This integrated review intends to summarize the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic features of CA and discuss the recent advances in underlying mechanisms and potential targets responsible for anti-CVD properties of CA. The CA-related cardiovascular protective mechanisms could be attributed to the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, improvement of lipid and glucose metabolism, regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, suppression of cardiac fibrosis, and platelet aggregation and promotion of vasodilation and angiogenesis. Furthermore, CA is likely to inhibit CVD progression via affecting other possible processes including autophagy and ER stress regulation, gut microbiota and immune homeostasis, ion metabolism, ncRNA expression, and TRPA1 activation. Collectively, experiments reported previously highlight the therapeutic effects of CA and clinical trials are advocated to offer scientific basis for the compound future applied in clinical practice for CVD prophylaxis and treatment.

Cinnamaldehyde-Based Self-Nanoemulsion (CA-SNEDDS) Accelerates Wound Healing and Exerts Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Rats’ Skin Burn Model

Cinnamaldehyde, the main phytoconstituent of the cinnamon oil, has been reported for its potential wound healing activity, associated to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we are reporting on the cinnamaldehyde-based self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (CA-SNEDDS), which was prepared and evaluated for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing potential using the rat third-degree skin injury model. The parameters, i.e., skin healing, proinflammatory, and oxidative/antioxidant markers, were evaluated after 3 weeks of treatment regimens with CA-SNEDDS. Twenty rats were divided randomly into negative control (untreated), SNEDDS control, silver sulfadiazine cream positive control (SS), and CA-SNEDDS groups. An aluminum cylinder (120 °C, 10-s duration) was used to induce 3rd-degree skin burns (1-inch square diameter each) on the rat’s dorsum. At the end of the experiment, skin biopsies were collected for biochemical analysis. The significantly reduced wound size in CA-SNEDDS compared to the negative group was observed. CA-SNEDDS-treated and SS-treated groups demonstrated significantly increased antioxidant biomarkers, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and a significant reduction in the inflammatory marker, i.e., NAP-3, compared to the negative group. Compared to SNEDDS, CA-SNEDDS exhibited a substantial antimicrobial activity against all the tested organisms at the given dosage of 20 µL/disc. Among all the tested microorganisms, MRSA and S. typhimurium were the most susceptible bacteria, with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 17.0 ± 0.3 mm and 19.0 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. CA-SNEDDS also exhibited strong antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. niger, with IZD of 35.0 ± 0.5 mm and 34.0 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. MIC and MBC of CA-SNEDDS for the tested bacteria ranged from 3.125 to 6.25 µL/mL and 6.25 to 12.5 µL/mL, respectively, while the MIC and MBC for C. albicans and A. niger were 1.56 µL/mL and 3.125 µL/mL, respectively. The MBIC and MBEC of CA-SNEDDS were also very significant for the tested bacteria and ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 µL/mL and 12.5 to 25.0 µL/mL, respectively, while the MBIC and MBEC for C. albicans and A. niger were 3.125 µL/mL and 6.25 µL/mL, respectively. Thus, the results indicated that CA-SNEDDS exhibited significant wound healing properties, which appeared to be attributed to the formulation’s antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Cinnamaldehyde Increases the Survival of Mice Submitted to Sepsis Induced by Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli

Several natural products have been investigated for their bactericidal potential, among these, cinnamaldehyde. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the activity of cinnamaldehyde in the treatment of animals with sepsis induced by extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli. Initially, the E. coli F5 was incubated with cinnamaldehyde to evaluate the minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentration. Animal survival was monitored for five days, and a subset of mice were euthanized after 10 h to evaluate histological, hematological, and immunological parameters, as well as the presence of bacteria in the organs. On the one hand, inoculation of bacterium caused the death of 100% of the animals within 24 h after infection. On the other hand, cinnamaldehyde (60 mg/kg) was able to keep 40% of mice alive after infection. The treatment significantly reduced the levels of cytokines in serum and peritoneum and increased the production of cells in both bone marrow and spleen, as well as lymphocytes at the infection site. Cinnamaldehyde was able to reduce tissue damage by decreasing the deleterious effects for the organism and contributed to the control of the sepsis and survival of animals; therefore, it is a promising candidate for the development of new drugs.

Volatile components in Yinchenzhufu decoction and their pharmacokinetics after oral administration in rats

In China, Yinchenzhufu decoction (YCZFD) has been used to treat cholestatic liver disease in clinical practice for hundreds of years. Nonvolatile components in YCZFD, their composition, components absorbed in blood, and pharmacokinetic characteristics have been clarified. However, information about its volatile components is limited. The aim of the present study was to identify the components of the volatile oil (VO) of YCZFD, quantify the major volatile components in YCZFD, and reveal their pharmacokinetic characteristics. In YCZFD, 85 components representing 95.36% of the total oil composition were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Next, 11 highly abundant components were quantified in YCZFD and YCZFD VO. Finally, a sensitive headspace solid-phase dynamic extraction-chromatography-quadruple mass spectrometry method for determining 8 volatile components in rat plasma was established and applied to compare the pharmacokinetics of YCZFD and YCZFD VO after oral administration in rats. These volatile components were rapidly absorbed and eliminated, and they presented highly different exposure levels. The area under the concentration–time curves of some volatile components in YCZFD was higher than that in YCZFD VO. The results showed that the water extract of YCZFD increased the exposure of volatile components. Our study provides valuable information for understanding the potential effective components of YCZFD.

In YCZFD, 85 volatile components (VCs) were identified and 11 VCs were quantified by GC-MS/MS. An HS-SPDE-GC-MS/MS method for determining 8 VCs in rat plasma was established and applied to compare the pharmacokinetics of YCZFD and its volatile oil.

In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Essential Oil and β-Bisabolol Derived from Cotton Gin Trash

Natural α-bisabolol has been widely used in cosmetics and is sourced mainly from the stems of Candeia trees that have become endangered due to over exploitation. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of cotton gin trash (CGT) essential oil and the major terpenoid (β-bisabolol) purified from the oil were investigated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages as well as the 3t3 and HS27 fibroblast cell lines. Nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) were measured using Greiss reagent, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cytokine bead array (CBA)-flow cytometry. Non-toxic concentrations of CGT oil and β-bisabolol (1.6–50.0 µg/mL) significantly inhibited the production of the inflammatory mediators in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition by β-bisabolol was 55.5% for NO, 62.3% for PGE₂, and 45.3% for TNF-α production in RAW cells. β-Bisabolol induced a level of inhibition similar to an equal concentration of α-bisabolol (50.0 µg/mL), a known anti-inflammatory agent. These results suggest β-bisabolol exerts similar in vitro effects to known topical anti-inflammatory agents and could therefore be exploited for cosmetic and therapeutic uses. This is the first study to report the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of β-bisabolol in CGT essential oil.

Beneficial effects of cinnamon and its extracts in the management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes are the leading causes of death worldwide, which underlines the urgent necessity to develop new pharmacotherapies. Cinnamon has been an eminent component of spice and traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Numerous lines of findings have elucidated that cinnamon has beneficial effects against CVDs in various ways, including endothelium protection, regulation of immune response, lowering blood lipids, antioxidative properties, anti-inflammatory properties, suppression of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and mobilization, repression of platelet activity and thrombosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. Furthermore, emerging evidence has established that cinnamon improves diabetes, a crucial risk factor for CVDs, by enhancing insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion; regulating the enzyme activity involved in glucose; regulating glucose metabolism in the liver, adipose tissue and muscle; ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammation to protect islet cells; and improving diabetes complications. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms by which cinnamon regulates CVDs and diabetes in order to provide a theoretical basis for the further clinical application of cinnamon.

Cinnamon: A Natural Feed Additive for Poultry Health and Production-A Review

The increased bacterial resistance to synthetic antibiotics and consumer awareness about the health and food safety concerns have triggered the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promotors (AGPs) in the poultry industry. This situation encouraged the poultry sector and industry to explore safe alternatives to AGPs and focus on developing more sustainable feed management strategies to improve the intestinal health and growth performance of poultry. Consequently, phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) have emerged as natural alternatives to AGPs and have great potential in the poultry industry. In recent years, cinnamon (one of the most widely used spices) has attracted attention from researchers as a natural product with numerous health benefits for poultry. The essential oils in cinnamon, in particular, are of interest because of their antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and hypocholesterolaemic effects, in addition to their ability to stimulate digestive enzymes in the gut. This review mainly emphasizes the potential impact of cinnamon as a natural feed additive on overall gut health, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical profile, gene expression, gut microbiota and immune response.

The synthetic synergistic cinnamon oil CIN-102 is active against Madurella mycetomatis, the most common causative agent of mycetoma

Mycetoma is a devastating neglected tropical infection of the subcutaneous tissue and most commonly caused by the fungus Madurella mycetomatis. Treatment of mycetoma consists of a combination of a long term antifungal treatment with itraconazole and surgery. However, treatment is associated with low success rates. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel treatments for mycetoma. CIN-102 is a synthetic partial copy of cinnamon oils with activity against many pathogenic bacteria and fungi. In this study we determined the in vitro activity of CIN-102 against 21 M. mycetomatis isolates and its in vivo efficacy in a M. mycetomatis infected Galleria mellonella larval model. In vitro, CIN-102 was active against M. mycetomatis with MICs ranging from 32 μg/mL to 512 μg/mL. 128 μg/mL was needed to inhibit the growth in 50% of tested isolates. In vivo, concentrations below the MIC of 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg CIN-102 prolonged larval survival, but higher concentrations of CIN-102 did not.

Mycetoma is a tropical infection causing large tumorous lesions on mainly the foot. This infection is most commonly caused by the fungus Madurella mycetomatis. Mycetoma is treated with antifungal agents and surgery but with low success rates. In our search for novel treatments for mycetoma we determined if CIN-102, a synthetic oil that resembles cinnamon oil, would be therapeutic in mycetoma. We therefore determined the activity of this oil against the fungus in vitro. We found that CIN-102 could inhibit M. mycetomatis growth in vitro. To determine if CIN-102 was also active against the mycetoma grain in vivo, we determined the efficacy in our Galleria mellonella grain model. Interestingly, CIN-102 was found to be effective in the larvae at a low concentrations.

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.

Aliskiren, tadalafil, and cinnamaldehyde alleviate joint destruction biomarkers; MMP-3 and RANKL; in complete Freund's adjuvant arthritis model: Downregulation of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, which is accompanied by progressive joint damage and disability. The intolerability of conventional antirheumatic drugs by some patients necessitates the search for effective antirheumatic agents having better tolerability. In the current work, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of cinnamaldehyde, tadalafil, and aliskiren as potential antirheumatic candidates and to explore their modulatory effects on joint destruction, inflammatory response, and intracellular signaling. Arthritis was induced in female Wistar rats by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) 0.4 ml s.c. on days 1, 4, and 7. Treated groups received their respective drugs, starting from day 13, daily for 3 weeks. Methotrexate and prednisolone were the standard antirheumatic drugs, while cinnamaldehyde, tadalafil, and aliskiren were the test agents. Treatment with cinnamaldehyde, tadalafil, or aliskiren reduced serum levels of rheumatoid factor, and pro-inflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6), along with elevated level of IL-10 which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Besides, cartilage and bone destruction biomarkers; matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL); were significantly reduced after treatment with the test agents, which was further confirmed by histopathological investigation. The elevated protein expressions of phosphorylated-Janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), phosphorylated-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in articular tissue were markedly attenuated after treatment with cinnamaldehyde, tadalafil, or aliskiren, while that of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was greatly enhanced. In addition, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers such as malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and myeloperoxidase were reduced in joint tissue after treatment with the test agents, while glutathione content was elevated. Furthermore, the renin inhibitor aliskiren produced effects close to those of the normal and methotrexate, the gold standard antirheumatic drug, in most of the measured parameters.

Collectively, these findings led to the assumption that the downregulation of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling by cinnamaldehyde, tadalafil, and aliskiren could alleviate joint destruction by MMP-3 and RANKL, reduce iNOS, and enhance eNOS expressions. Moreover, aliskiren could be a promising therapeutic agent for RA, because of its ability to normalize most of the measured parameters after CFA-induced arthritis.

The modulatory effects of cinnamaldehyde on uric acid level and IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling as a promising therapeutic strategy against benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a widespread disorder in elderly men. Cinnamaldehyde, which is a major constituent in the essential oil of cinnamon, has been previously reported to reduce xanthine oxidase activity, in addition to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-proliferative activities. Our study was designed to investigate the potential modulatory effects of cinnamaldehyde on testosterone model of BPH in rats through reduction of uric acid level, and suppression of IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. Cinnamaldehyde (40 and 75 mg/kg) was orally administered to male Wistar rats for 3 weeks, and concurrently with testosterone (3 mg/kg, s.c.) from the second week. Cinnamaldehyde ameliorated the elevation in prostatic weight and index compared to rats treated with testosterone only, that was also confirmed by alleviation of histopathological changes in prostate architecture. The protective mechanisms of cinnamaldehyde were elucidated through inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity and reduced uric acid level. That was accompanied by reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines; interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NF-κB p65, that could be attributed also to the enhanced anti-oxidant defense by cinnamaldehyde. The protein expression of JAK1, which is IL-6 receptor linked protein, was reduced with subsequently reduced activation of STAT3 protein. That eventually suppressed the formation of the proliferation protein cyclin D1, while elevated Bax/Bcl2 ratio. It can be concluded that reducing uric acid level through xanthine oxidase inhibition and suppression of the inflammatory signaling cascade; IL-6/JAK1/STAT3; by cinnamaldehyde could be a novel and promising therapeutic approach against BPH.

Cinnamomum cassia Presl: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Cinnamomum cassia Presl is a tropical aromatic evergreen tree of the Lauraceae family, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is also a traditional spice, widely used around the world. This paper summarizes the achievements of modern research on C. cassia, including the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. In addition, this review also discusses some significant issues and the potential direction of future C. cassia research. More than 160 chemicals have been separated and identified from C. cassia. The main constituents of C. cassia are terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, glycosides, etc. Modern studies have confirmed that C. cassia has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antitumour, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity, antibacterial and antiviral, cardiovascular protective, cytoprotective, neuroprotective, immunoregulatory effects, anti-tyrosinase activity and other effects. However, the modern studies of C. cassia are still not complete and more in-depth investigations need to be conducted in alimentotherapy, health product, toxicity and side effects, and more bioactive components and potential pharmacological effects need to be explored in the future.

Topical Application of Cinnamaldehyde Promotes Faster Healing of Skin Wounds Infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Wound healing can be delayed following colonization and infection with the common bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While multiple therapies are used for their treatment, these are ineffective, expensive, and labour-intensive. Thus, there is an enormous unmet need for the treatment of infected wounds. Cinnamaldehyde, the major component of cinnamon oil, is well known for its antimicrobial properties. Herein, we investigated the effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations of cinnamaldehyde in the virulence of P. aeruginosa. We also assessed its healing potential in P. aeruginosa-infected mouse skin wounds and the mechanisms involved in this response. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of cinnamaldehyde reduced P. aeruginosa metabolic rate and its ability to form biofilm and to cause haemolysis. Daily topical application of cinnamaldehyde on P. aeruginosa-infected skin wounds reduced tissue bacterial load and promoted faster healing. Lower interleukin-17 (IL-17), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide levels were detected in cinnamaldehyde-treated wound samples. Blockage of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1, the pharmacological target of cinnamaldehyde, abrogated its healing activity and partially reversed the inhibitory actions of this compound on VEGF and IL-17 generation. We suggest that topical application of sub-inhibitory concentrations of cinnamaldehyde may represent an interesting approach to improve the healing of P. aeruginosa-infected skin wounds.

Syk: a new target for attenuation of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric mucosal inflammatory responses

The magnitude of gastric mucosal inflammatory response to H. pylori relies primarily on the extent of its key endotoxin, LPS, engagement of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) and the initiation of signal transduction events converging on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and IκB complex (IKK) cascades. These cascades, in turn, exert their control over the assembly of transcription factors, NFκB and AP1, implicated in the induction of the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proinflammatory genes. The LPS-induced TLR4 activation and the ensuing phosphorylation of its intracellular tyrosine domain by Src-family kinases not only leads to recruitment to the cytoplasmic domain of TLR4 of adaptor molecules directly involved in propagation of the signaling cascades converging on MAPK and IKK, but also provides a propitious docking site for a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), the activation of which apparently leads to upregulation in the expression of proinflammatory genes. Here, we review the pathways engaged by H. pylori in the recruitment and interaction of Syk with TLR4 in gastric mucosa, and discuss the cascades involved in Syk-mediated amplification in proinflammatory signaling. We focus, moreover, on the potential role of drugs targeting Syk and TLR4 in the treatment of H. pylori-related gastric disease.

Cinnamic aldehyde inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointimal hyperplasia in Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats

Atherosclerosis remains the number one cause of death and disability worldwide. Atherosclerosis is treated by revascularization procedures to restore blood flow to distal tissue, but these procedures often fail due to restenosis secondary to neointimal hyperplasia. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that accelerates both atherosclerosis development and onset of restenosis. Strategies to inhibit restenosis aim at reducing neointimal hyperplasia by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration. Since increased production of reactive oxygen species promotes VSMC proliferation and migration, redox intervention to maintain vascular wall redox homeostasis holds the potential to inhibit arterial restenosis. Cinnamic aldehyde (CA) is an electrophilic Nrf2 activator that has shown therapeutic promise in diabetic rodent models. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that regulates the antioxidant response. Therefore, we hypothesized that CA would activate Nrf2 and would inhibit neointimal hyperplasia after carotid artery balloon injury in the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat. In primary ZDF VSMC, CA inhibited cell growth by MTT with an EC₅₀ of 118 ± 7 μM. At a therapeutic dose of 100 μM, CA inhibited proliferation of ZDF VSMC in vitro and reduced the proliferative index within the injured artery in vivo, as well as migration of ZDF VSMC in vitro. CA activated the Nrf2 pathway in both ZDF VSMC and injured carotid arteries while also increasing antioxidant defenses and reducing markers of redox dysfunction. Additionally, we noted a significant reduction of neutrophils (69%) and macrophages (78%) within the injured carotid arteries after CA treatment. Lastly, CA inhibited neointimal hyperplasia evidenced by a 53% reduction in the intima:media ratio and a 61% reduction in vessel occlusion compared to arteries treated with vehicle alone. Overall CA was capable of activating Nrf2, and inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia after balloon injury in a rat model of diabetic restenosis.

Cinnamaldehyde protects VSMCs against ox-LDL-induced proliferation and migration through S arrest and inhibition of p38, JNK/MAPKs and NF-κB

Cinnamaldehyde (Cin), as a traditional flavor constituent isolated from the bark of Cinnamonum cassia Presl, has been commonly used for - digestive, cardiovascular and immune system diseases. The pathology of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) accelerated the progression of atherosclerosis. In our study, we found that cinnamaldehyde significantly suppressed ox-LDL-induced VSMCs proliferation, migration and inflammatory cytokine overproduction, as well as foam cell formation in VSMCs and macrophages. Moreover, cinnamaldehyde inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, JNK and p65 NF-κB and increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity. In addition, cinnamaldehyde reduced monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression. Furthermore, cinnamaldehyde arrested cell cycle in S phase. Thus, results indicated that cinnamaldehyde antagonized the ox-LDL-induced VSMCs proliferation, migration, inflammation and foam cell formation through regulation of HO-1, MMP-2, LOX-1 and blockage of cell cycle, and - suppression of p38, JNK/MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Immunomodulatory effects of phytogenics in chickens and pigs - A review

Environmental stressors like pathogens and toxins may depress the animal immune system through invasion of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) tract, where they may impair performance and production, as well as lead to increased mortality rates. Therefore, protection of the GIT tract and improving animal health are top priorities in animal production. Being natural-sourced materials, phytochemicals are potential feed additives possessing multiple functions, including: anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-viral and antioxidative properties. This paper focuses on immunity-related physiological parameters regulated by phytochemicals, such as carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, and thymol; many studies have proven that these phytochemicals can improve animal performance and production. On the molecular level, the impact of inflammatory gene expression on underlying mechanisms was also examined, as were the effects of environmental stimuli and phytochemicals in initiating nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways and improving health conditions.

Cinnamaldehyde Ameliorates Cadmium-Inhibited Root Elongation in Tobacco Seedlings via Decreasing Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Production

Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is natural plant-derived compound that has been highly appreciated for its medicinal properties. However, little information is known about the regulation of plant intrinsic physiology by CA. To address these gaps, physiological, histochemical, and biochemical approaches were applied to investigate CA-facilitated cadmium (Cd) tolerance in the roots of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seedlings. Treatment with CdCl₂ at 20 μM for 72 h resulted in the significant decrease in root elongation by 40.39% as compared to control. CA alleviated Cd-inhibited root elongation in dose- and time-dependent manners. The addition of CA at 20 μM induced significant increase in root elongation by 42.58% as compared to Cd treatment alone. CA abolished Cd-induced ROS (reactive oxygen species) accumulation, lipid peroxidation, loss of membrane integrity, cell death, and free Cd2+ accumulation in roots. CA blocked the Cd-induced increase in the endogenous H₂S level through the down-regulation of d-cysteine desulfhydrase (DCD) expression. H₂S scavenger hypotaurine (HT) or potent H₂S-biosynthetic inhibitor dl-propargylglicine (PAG) were able mimic the action of CA on the blockade of Cd-induced H₂S accumulation, cell death, and growth inhibition. Enhancement of the endogenous H₂S level with NaHS (H₂S donor) abrogated all the beneficial capabilities of CA, HT, and PAG. Collectively, these results suggest that CA has great potential to confer plant tolerance against Cd stress, which is closely associated with its capability to inhibit Cd-induced H₂S production. This study not only provides evidences for the regulation of plant physiology by CA but also sheds new light on the cross-talk between CA and H₂S in physiological modulations.

Biological Properties of Some Volatile Phenylpropanoids

Plants and their extracts are the new field of interest for many scientists and also of some pharmaceutical industries. In order to provide more information for their usage in the prevention and treatment of diseases many clinical trials and researches are being carried out. In this review the biological activities and the mechanism of action of volatile phenylpropanoids (PPs) found in essential oils (EOs) are presented. The aim of this overview is to show that volatile PPs found in EOs can exert many of the biological activities which are generally attributed to EOs. Almost all of the PPs possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. These are related to the different substitution of the phenylpropane molecule. For each isolated group not only one, but more pharmacological activities can be credited.

Deciphering the Potential Pharmaceutical Mechanism of Chinese Traditional Medicine (Gui-Zhi-Shao-Yao-Zhi-Mu) on Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gui-Zhi-Shao-Yao-Zhi-Mu (GSZ) decoction is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula commonly used for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The therapeutic effect of GSZ for RA treatment is supported by our clinical retrospective study. To uncover the potential mechanism underlying GSZ formula, we identified 1,327 targets of 673 compounds from 9 herbs that involve in Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway and regulation of immunoglobulin production. Comparison between formula targets with 79 RA drug targets and 675 RA disease genes showed that formula targets covered 31.6% RA drug targets and 19.9% RA disease genes. Formula specific targets presented expression patterns highly similar to the disease genes and drug targets based on the expression profiles of RA samples. Investigation of 10 inferred gene clusters from expression profiles with a target association network revealed that formula specific targets directly or indirectly interacted with disease genes that were essential for immune related biological processes (e.g. inflammatory responses, treatment response of rheumatoid arthritis, etc.). Our result indicated that GSZ disrupted the RA disease dysfunction modules and restored homeostasis in the human body. The systemic approach to infer therapeutic mechanisms of GSZ for RA treatment provides a new insight in the understanding of this TCM formula.