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Background and aim: Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang (DHJST) is a Chinese herbal formula used for arthralgia and arthritis treatment clinically. This study aims to evaluate the joint-protecting efficacy of DHJST and to identify the active constituents as the evaluation marker. Experimental procedure: DHJST can be categorized into three recipes: Blood-tonifying-herbs Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), Wind-dampness-dispelling-herbs (WDH) and Qi-tonifying-herbs (TH). All formulas were used to explore the joint-protecting efficacies. Results and conclusion: s: Firstly, DHJST could decrease the arthritis progression in the monosodium-iodoacetate-induced rat and cure arthritis in the type II collagenase-induced rat. Further, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, DHJST, TH and Cinnamomum cassia (CC), an ingredient in TH, were the most potent nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibitors. The major components, cinnamic aldehyde, showed the strongest NO and PGE2 inhibition. Up-regulated inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 were inhibited by DHJST, TH, CC, and cinnamic aldehyde. In interleukin-1β-stimulated primary chondrocytes, upregulated iNOS was inhibited by DHJST, TH, Cinnamomum cassia, and cinnamic aldehyde. Upregulated matrix metalloprotease-13 was only inhibited by DHJST and TH and Eucommia ulmoides (EU) extract. Results suggest that DHJST presented joint-protective and cure arthritis effects. TH presented equal joint-protective effects as DHJST. The major anti-inflammatory ingredient in TH was Cinnamomum cassia in TH. And cinnamic aldehyde was the potent anti-inflammatory active compound in Cinnamomum cassia. Therefore, this study may facilitate the modern use of DHJST with TH as a simplified version but equally effective anti-osteoarthritic agents with cinnamic aldehyde as a quality control marker of DHJST and TH in osteoarthritis prevention or treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to optimize the extraction process of essential oil from Cinnamomum cassia Presl. and reveal its effect on flavor compounds. Methods: The aqueous two-phase extraction of essential oil was optimized by orthogonal design, and the yield of the essential oil from Cinnamomum cassia Presl. was employed as the index to evaluate the outcome. The flavor compounds of cinnamon volatile oil were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with principal component analysis. Results: The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: The mass fraction of ethanol 25%, the mass fraction of sodium dihydrogen phosphate 34%, the solid-liquid ratio 1:15 g/mL, the extraction time 60 min, and the temperature of extraction 35 ℃. Under these conditions, the yields of cinnamon volatile oil and cinnamaldehyde were 2.82% and 0.037%, which were 1.07 times and 1.31 times higher than those of the conventional steam distillation method. Furthermore, a total of 14 and 15 chemical compounds were identified in the essential oil of Cinnamomum cassia Presl. by two-phase extraction and steam distillation method, respectively. The results demonstrated that most of these compounds were terpenes and aldehydes. Compared with the conventional steam distillation method, the main components of the volatile oil prepared by aqueous two-phase extraction were distinct, and the latter contained more terpene components such as α-pinene (59.93%), cadina-1(10),4-diene (10.20%), α-muurolene (7.35%), cycloalfalfa (2.44%) and yilanene (1.50%). Conclusion: The aqueous two-phase extraction has several advantages of mild conditions, high yield and easy recovery of solvent for the extraction of cinnamon volatile oil. It can be used as an effective method for the extraction and separation of volatile oil from spices.

Background and Objective: Strangle in the horses is the commonest and the most significant infectious disease. An antibiotic of the first choice, commonly Penicillin, is used for antimicrobial therapy. Due to side effects and resistance against used antibiotics, interest in novel antimicrobial substances from other sources, including herbal medicine as safe agents has been raised. This study evaluated the antibacterial susceptibility profile of Streptococcus equi subsp equi in the confrontation of Trans-cinnamaldehyde, 1, 8 Cineole, and Pulegone on bacterial pathogens isolated from the horse. Materials and Methods: Two hundred clinically isolates were studied by the single disk method to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, Gentamicin, Enrofloxacin, Chloramphenicol, Azithromycin, Cefotaxime, Oxytetracycline, Erythromycin, and Penicillin. Paper discs were prepared by impregnation in 10 µL essential oils main compounds (EOMC). The antibacterial activities of Trans-cinnamaldehyde, 1, 8 Cineole, and Pulegone were evaluated by microbroth dilution and disk diffusion methods against isolates of S. equi. Results & Conclusion: All the isolates were resistant to Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and Cefotaxime. The maximum growth inhibition zone was related to Oxytetracycline and Ampicillin. The growth inhibition zone diameter was 30 mm, 20 mm, and 26 mm for Trans-cinnamaldehyde, Pulegone, and 1, 8 Cineole, respectively. The results of the Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs) showed that Trans-cinnamaldehyde had the highest antibacterial activity compared to other EOMC against S. equi. This study indicated that Trans-cinnamaldehyde, 1, 8 Cineole, and Pulegone revealed antibacterial properties; therefore, these main constituents of the medicinal plant could be a safe candidate for the new antibacterial products.

Cinnamon is a wildly used traditional Chinese herbal medicine for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, but the underlying mechanism remains ambiguous. The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of cinnamic aldehyde (CA), a bioactive substance extracted from Cinnamon, on synovial inflammation in OA. A total of 144 CA‐OA co‐targeted genes were identified by detect databases (PubChem, HIT, TCMSP, TTD, DrugBank and GeneCards). The results of GO enrichment analysis indicated that these co‐targeted genes have participated in many biological processes including 'inflammatory response', 'cellular response to lipopolysaccharide', 'response to drug', 'immune response', 'lipopolysaccharide‐mediated signalling pathway', etc. KEGG pathway analysis showed these co‐targeted genes were mainly enriched in 'Toll‐like receptor signalling pathway', 'TNF signalling pathway', 'NF‐kappa B signalling pathway', etc. Molecular docking demonstrated that CA could successfully bind to TLR2 and TLR4. The results of in vitro experiments showed no potential toxicity of 10, 20 and 50 μM/L CA on human OA FLS, and CA can significantly inhibit the inflammation in LPS‐induced human FLS. Further experimental mechanism evidence confirmed CA can inhibited the inflammation in LPS‐induced human OA FLS via blocking the TLR4/MyD88 signalling pathway. Our results demonstrated that CA exhibited strong anti‐inflammation effect in OA FLS through blocking the activation of TLR4/MyD88 signalling pathway, suggesting its potential as a hopeful candidate for the development of novel agents for the treatment of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irritant contact stomatitis (ICS) and contact hypersensitivity stomatitis (CHS) are often caused by alcohol, flavoring agents and additives in dentifrices and foods, and contactants with high or low pH. A well-recognized contactant for ICS is Listerine™ mouthwash, while that for CHS is cinnamic aldehyde. However, many other flavoring agents and even smokeless tobacco are contactants that cause mucosal lesions that are entirely reversible. The objective of this study is to 1) present cases of ICS and CHS with a clear history of a contactant at the site and the histopathologic features of the resulting lesion and 2) define the histopathologic features that characterize such lesions. Methods: 12 cases of ICS and CHS with known contactants that exhibited distinct histopathologic patterns were identified. Results: ICS are characterized by three patterns in increasing order of severity namely: 1) superficial desquamation, 2) superficial keratinocyte edema, and 3) keratinocyte coagulative necrosis with/out spongiosis and microabscesses. CHS is characterized by two patterns namely plasma cell stomatitis with an intense plasma cell infiltrate and a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with or without non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Three patterns of the latter are recognized: (1) lymphohistiocytic infiltrate at the interface with well-formed or loosely aggregated non-necrotizing granulomas; (2) lymphohistiocytic infiltrate at the interface with peri- and para-vascular lymphohistiocytic nodules; and (3) lymphohistiocytic infiltrate at the interface with peri- and para-vascular lymphohistiocytic nodules containing non-necrotizing granulomas. The same contactant may elicit ICS and CHS, while one histopathologic pattern may be brought on by various contactants. Conclusion: ICS and CHS have distinct histologic patterns. Recognizing that these patterns are caused by contactants would help clinicians manage such mucosal lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Strangle in the horses is the commonest and the most significant infectious disease. An antibiotic of the first choice, commonly Penicillin, is used for antimicrobial therapy. Due to side effects and resistance against used antibiotics, interest in novel antimicrobial substances from other sources, including herbal medicine as safe agents has been raised. This study evaluated the antibacterial susceptibility profile of Streptococcus equi subsp equi in the confrontation of Trans-cinnamaldehyde, 1, 8 Cineole, and Pulegone on bacterial pathogens isolated from the horse. Materials and Methods: Two hundred clinically isolates were studied by the single disk method to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, Gentamicin, Enrofloxacin, Chloramphenicol, Azithromycin, Cefotaxime, Oxytetracycline, Erythromycin, and Penicillin. Paper discs were prepared by impregnation in 10 μL essential oils main compounds (EOMC). The antibacterial activities of Trans-cinnamaldehyde, 1, 8 Cineole, and Pulegone were evaluated by microbroth dilution and disk diffusion methods against isolates of S. equi. Results & Conclusion: All the isolates were resistant to Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and Cefotaxime. The maximum growth inhibition zone was related to Oxytetracycline and Ampicillin. The growth inhibition zone diameter was 30 mm, 20 mm, and 26 mm for Trans-cinnamaldehyde, Pulegone, and 1, 8 Cineole, respectively. The results of the Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs) showed that Trans-cinnamaldehyde had the highest antibacterial activity compared to other EOMC against S. equi. This study indicated that Trans-cinnamaldehyde, 1, 8 Cineole, and Pulegone revealed antibacterial properties; therefore, these main constituents of the medicinal plant could be a safe candidate for the new antibacterial products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was extracted by three different methods: steam distillation (SD), ultrasound-assisted steam distillation (UASD) and microwave-assisted steam distillation (MASD). The volatiles in CEO were separated and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the differences in volatiles among the three different methods were further analyzed through principal component analysis. The results showed that 36 individual volatile components were present in the CEO from the three different methods. In general, the numbers of aldehydes, esters, alcohols, terpenes, aromatics and ketones were 6, 3, 7, 17, 2, and 1, respectively. The most abundant volatile component was determined to be cinnamic aldehyde. The content of total cinnamic aldehydes, which determines the price of CEO, was the highest among the three methods in the UASD sample (85.633%). Moreover, the highest yield (8.33‰) of essential oil was extracted by the UASD method. Therefore, UASD was the best way for CEO extraction in this research and was recommended for future industrial applications.

Osteoarthritis (OA), as one of the top 10 causes of physical disability, is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane and progressive destruction of the articular cartilage. Cinnamic aldehyde (CA), an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde extracted from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J.Presl), has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of CA on OA remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CA on inflammation, and cartilage degeneration in OA. A CCK-8 assay was performed to assess the potential toxicity of CA on cultured human OA chondrocytes. Following treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and CA, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α), was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting (WB). The production of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5) was also examined using RT-qPCR and WB. Furthermore, to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism of CA, biomarkers of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway (p65, IKB-α) were detected using WB. The results demonstrated that CA significantly inhibited the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5 in LPS-induced OA chondrocytes. CA dramatically suppressed LPS-stimulated NF-κB activation. Collectively, these results suggest that CA treatment may effectively prevent OA.

Osteoarthritis (OA), as one of the top 10 causes of physical disability, is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane and progressive destruction of the articular cartilage. Cinnamic aldehyde (CA), an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde extracted from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J.Presl), has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of CA on OA remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CA on inflammation, and cartilage degeneration in OA. A CCK-8 assay was performed to assess the potential toxicity of CA on cultured human OA chondrocytes. Following treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and CA, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α), was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting (WB). The production of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5) was also examined using RT-qPCR and WB. Furthermore, to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism of CA, biomarkers of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway (p65, IKB-α) were detected using WB. The results demonstrated that CA significantly inhibited the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5 in LPS-induced OA chondrocytes. CA dramatically suppressed LPS-stimulated NF-κB activation. Collectively, these results suggest that CA treatment may effectively prevent OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cinnamic aldehyde on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mass in a rat osteoporosis model induced by ovariectomy. Methods In this study, 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were undergoing ovariectomy or sham surgery. After 12 weeks the rats were assigned to the cinnamic aldehyde group (RGQ group), the control group (CON group), and the ovariectomized group (OVX group). BMD of the rat femurs and lumbar vertebra, levels of serum cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and femoral histomorphometry were examined. Results Ovariectomy significantly reduced BMD, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and trabecular area in rats. In addition, it significantly increased trabecular resolution and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels when compared with CON, and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.05). After RGQ treatment, BMD, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and trabecular area in group RGQ rats were significantly increased, and trabecular resolution and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly reduced when compared with the CON group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Cinnamic aldehyde has protective effects on BMD and bone mass in a rat osteoporosis model induced by ovariectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact mucositis is an inflammatory mucosal reaction caused by many agents. A case of a 53-year-old man with contact-type allergy in oral mucosa due to cinnamon chewing gum is presented. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nonspecific oral lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation is an essential response against bacterial infection as a host defense mechanism, which can lead to tissue damage. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is major pathogen for aggressive periodontitis characterized by rapid destruction of periodontal tissue surrounding teeth. Trans-cinnamic aldehyde is a key bioactive compound of the cinnamon extracts, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer properties. The objective of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of trans-cinnamic aldehyde against Aa infection in human THP-1 derived macrophages and on Aa-induced periodontitis in mice.Methods: THP-1 cells were differentiated with phorbol 12-mystristate 13-acetate and were infected with live Aa. Trans-cinnamic aldehyde was pretreated 30 minutes before the bacterial infection. Cytokine production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and protein expressions were detected by Western blot analysis. Autophagosome formation was detected by Cyto-ID. Viable cell count was carried out to determine bacterial adhesion, internalization, and intracellular survival. Experimental periodontitis was induced by inoculating Aa orally to mice, and microcomputed tomography was used to evaluate bone loss.Results: Pretreatment of trans-cinnamic aldehyde significantly inhibited Aa-stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1β. Pretreatment of trans-cinnamic aldehyde inhibited Aa-induced expression of TLR signaling pathway as well as the phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Also, trans-cinnamic aldehyde treatment downregulated the expression of pro-IL-1β, caspase-1, and inflammasome components. Trans-cinnamic aldehyde treatment significantly decreased intracellular survival of Aa. Moreover, the autophagosome formation and the expressions of autophagy markers including Beclin-1, ATG5, and LC3 were increased. Finally, trans-cinnamic aldehyde significantly inhibited bone loss in Aa-induced mouse periodontitis.Conclusions: Trans-cinnamic aldehyde inhibited Aa-stimulated expression of inflammatory responses and inhibited intracellular bacterial survival via autophagy activation. These results suggest that trans-cinnamic aldehyde may serve as an anti-inflammatory agent for aggressive periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinnamic aldehyde (CA), a key flavor compound in cinnamon essential oil, has been identified as an anti-oxidant, anti-angiogenic, and anti-inflammatory material. Recently, the neuroprotective effects of CA have been reported in various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). In neurons, autophagy is tightly regulated, and consequently, the dysregulation of autophagy may induce neurodegenerative disorders. In the present study, we found that the selective dopaminergic neuronal death in the substantia nigra of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse models was prevented by CA. Stimulation of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) puncta mediated by MPTP treatment was decreased by CA. Moreover, down-regulated p62 in the substantia nigra of MPTP mice was increased by administration of CA. Finally, we showed that blockage of autophagy using autophagy inhibitors protected the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-mediated death of BE(2)-M17 cells. Together these results suggest that CA has a neuroprotective effect in a PD model and that inhibition of autophagy might be a promising therapeutic target for PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plant essential oils play prominent roles as flavoring agents in the food industry and as fragrances for the perfume industry. The World Health Organization has recommended that traditional plants used for the treatment of diseases need further scientific investigation on their toxic side effects. Objectives: The current study was conducted to evaluate the histopathological effect of three plants' essential oils that could be used as insecticides. Methods: Thirty adult male albino mice were divided into five groups. Group I was considered as a control group. Group II, III and IV received cinnamic aldehyde, benzyl alcohol and eugenol essential oils respectively. For comparison with the tested essential oils, Group V received the organophosphorus insecticide dimethoate. Results: Histological examination of liver and renal cortex of animals received the essential oil cinnamic aldehyde or benzyl alcohol revealed a nearly normal histological structure of hepatic parenchyma by Hematoxylin and eosin stain, and normal collagen distribution demonstrated by Gomori’s Trichrome stain. Examination of the group IV treated with eugenol revealed few focal areas of degeneration in hepatic parenchyma and in some renal tubules. On the contrary, mice treated with dimethoate manifested severe affection of the hepatic parenchyma with characteristic hepatic zonation and many degenerated cells, pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm in addition to intense cellular infiltration. Thyrodization of the renal cortex of dimethoate treated mice was consistent finding in most of the examined specimens. Many convoluted tubules appeared irregular dilated with flattened epithelial lining. Their lumina were occupied by cellular casts and hyaline material. Thickened basement membranes of the renal tubules with disrupted brush border were also observed. Moreover, extensive fibrosis of hepatic parenchyma and renal interstitium were detected in this group treated with dimethoate. Conclusion: the tested essential oils did not demonstrate significant adverse effects on the liver and renal cortex of albino male mice, while the organophosphorus insecticide, dimethoate, had significant hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. Further studies are needed that include more animals and to address other factors such as gender differences, time course, dose response, blood chemistry, and other biochemical targets prior to any recommendation for the usage of any of these chemicals as insecticides.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is featured by a progressive decline of kidney function and is mainly caused by chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. CKD is a complex disease due to cardiovascular complications and high morbidity; however, there is no single treatment to improve kidney function in CKD patients. Since biological markers representing oxidative stress are significantly elevated in CKD patients, oxidative stress is receiving attention as a contributing factor to CKD pathology. Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (NRF2) is a predominant transcription factor that regulates the expression of a wide array of genes encoding antioxidant proteins, thiol molecules and their generating enzymes, detoxifying enzymes, and stress response proteins, all of which can counteract inflammatory and oxidative damages. There is considerable experimental evidence suggesting that NRF2 signaling plays a protective role in renal injuries that are caused by various pathologic conditions. In addition, impaired NRF2 activity and consequent target gene repression have been observed in CKD animals. Therefore, a pharmacological intervention activating NRF2 signaling can be beneficial in protecting against kidney dysfunction in CKD. This review article provides an overview of the role of NRF2 in experimental CKD models and describes current findings on the renoprotective effects of naturally occurring NRF2 activators, including sulforaphane, resveratrol, curcumin, and cinnamic aldehyde. These experimental results, coupled with recent clinical experiences with a synthetic triterpenoid, bardoxolone methyl, have brought a light of hope for ameliorating CKD progression by preventing oxidative stress and maintaining cellular redox homeostasis.

In this contribution, two novel supported and non-supported ruthenium(II) complexes of type [RuCl2(dppme)(NN)] where [dppme is H2C=C(CH2PPh2)2 and NN is N1-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)ethane-1,2-diamine] were prepared. The NN co-ligand caused release of one of the dppme ligands from [RuCl2(dppme)2] precursor to yield complex 1. The process of substitution of dppme by NN was monitored by 31P{1H}-NMR. Taking advantage of the presence of trimethoxysilane group in the backbone of complex 1, polysiloxane xerogel counterpart, X1, was prepared via sol-gel immobilization using tetraethoxysilane as cross-linker. Both complexes 1 and X1 have been characterized via elemental analysis, CV and a number of spectroscopic techniques including FT-IR, 1H-, 13C-, and 31P-NMR, and mass spectrometry. Importantly, carbonyl selective hydrogenation was successfully accomplished under mild conditions using complex 1 as a homogenous catalyst and X1 as a heterogeneous catalyst, respectively.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of tumor-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent research suggests that pharmacological intervention using dietary factors that activate the redox sensitive Nrf2/Keap1-ARE signaling pathway may represent a promising strategy for chemoprevention of human cancer including CRC. In our search for dietary Nrf2 activators with potential chemopreventive activity targeting CRC, we have focused our studies on trans-cinnamic aldehyde (cinnamaldeyde, CA), the key flavor compound in cinnamon essential oil. Here we demonstrate that CA and an ethanolic extract (CE) prepared from Cinnamomum cassia bark, standardized for CA content by GC-MS analysis, display equipotent activity as inducers of Nrf2 transcriptional activity. In human colon cancer cells (HCT116, HT29) and non-immortalized primary fetal colon cells (FHC), CA- and CE-treatment upregulated cellular protein levels of Nrf2 and established Nrf2 targets involved in the antioxidant response including heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and γ-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase (γ-GCS, catalytic subunit). CA- and CE-pretreatment strongly upregulated cellular glutathione levels and protected HCT116 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced genotoxicity and arsenic-induced oxidative insult. Taken together our data demonstrate that the cinnamon-derived food factor CA is a potent activator of the Nrf2-orchestrated antioxidant response in cultured human epithelial colon cells. CA may therefore represent an underappreciated chemopreventive dietary factor targeting colorectal carcinogenesis.

During tumor progression, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) plays a critical role in tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth by regulating the transcription of several genes in response to a hypoxic environment and changes in growth factors. This study was designed to investigate the effects of cinnamic aldehyde (CA) on tumor growth and angiogenesis and the mechanisms underlying CA’s anti-angiogenic activities. We found that CA administration inhibits tumor growth and blocks tumor angiogenesis in BALB/c mice. In addition, CA treatment decreased HIF-1α protein expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in mouse tumors and Renca cells exposed to hypoxia in vitro. Interestingly, CA treatment did not affect the stability of von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL)-associated HIF-1α and CA attenuated the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Collectively, these findings strongly indicate that the anti-angiogenic activity of CA is, at least in part, regulated by the mTOR pathway-mediated suppression of HIF-1α protein expression and these findings suggest that CA may be a potential drug for human cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Biofilm on urinary catheters results in persistent infections that are resistant to antibiotics. In this study, phytochemicals were assessed as alternative antimicrobials in preventing and inactivating E. coli biofilm on urinary catheters. Materials and methods: Biofilm prevention was tested using catheter fragments inoculated with E. coli and treated with transcinnamaldehyde, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids (0%, 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5%) for 0, 1, 3, and 5 days. Inactivation of E. coli biofilm with the same agents at concentrations of 0%, 1%, 1.25%, or 1.5% used for 0, 1, 3, or 5 days was also evaluated. Results: All used concentrations of trans-cinnamaldehyde prevented and effectively inactivated E. coli biofilm formed on urinary catheter fragments. p-Coumaric (0.25% and 0.5%) and ferulic acids (0.5%) had preventive action on E. coli biofilm formation in urinary catheter fragments. The number of uropathogenic E. coli cells in biofilm formed in the lumen of a urinary catheter was significantly reduced in the presence of p-coumaric and ferulic acids, but complete inactivation of the biofilm formed was not observed, as opposed to the use of trans-cinnamaldehyde. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that phytochemicals may be an important source of antibiofilm agents that have preventive action on E. coli biofilm formation on urinary catheters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance COX-2 has been considered as a potent molecular target for prevention and therapy of depression. However, a recent study showed that COX-2 inhibitor does not improve depressive symptoms in persons aged 70 and over. Therefore, whether treatments targeting COX-2 have a clinical efficacy in depression, especially elderly individuals, remains unclear. Cinnamic aldehyde is a major constituent of Cinnamomum cassia , which has exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activities as a COX-2 inhibitor. To investigate the potential antidepressant effect of cinnamic aldehyde in mid-aged rats. Materials and methods The depressive-like behaviors were measured after the rats exposed to chronic unexpected mild stress (CUMS). Cinnamic aldehyde was administrated by oral gavage to stressed rats (22.5, 45, 90 mg/kg, respectively) for 21 days. The mRNA, protein expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) levels were measured in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of stressed animals. Results We found that CUMS procedure not only decreased the sucrose preference, but also elevated the COX-2 activity, mRNA and protein levels, and increased PGE 2 concentration in rat brain regions. Treatment with high doses of cinnamic aldehyde (45, 90 mg/kg) reversed the behavioral abnormalities, and decreased the COX-2 protein and activity (but not COX-2 mRNA expression) and PGE 2 concentration in frontal cortex and hippocampus of stressed rats. Conclusion Cinnamic aldehyde exerted antidepressant-like effects in stressed mid-aged rats, and its mechanism of action appears to decrease COX-2 protein and activity. The current findings suggest that targeting COX-2 system might be benefit to the depression, especially elderly individuals and cinnamic aldehyde might be a promising medicine to treat the subjects in the depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The house rat, Rattus rattus (Linnaeus), is responsible for causing severe damage in outdoor commercial grain stores where rodent proofing is not possible. Rodenticides are the preferred option for preventing rodent attacks. However, secondary poisoning and development of bait shyness and resistance among rodents after exposure to toxic chemicals has increased the search for new, safe, ecofriendly and effective control methods, which can prevent damage for a long duration. In the present study, the effectiveness and persistence of cinnamic aldehyde as an antifeedant against R. rattus were evaluated. Cinnamic aldehyde treated bait at 5% concentration was effective as an antifeedant and secondary repellent against R. rattus in bi-choice feeding tests. The antifeedant effect was retained for at least 14 days after treatment. There was no significant difference between consumption of treated and untreated bait during the first four hours of exposure of rats under bi-choice feeding tests, indicating absence of a primary repellent effect of cinnamic aldehyde. Feeding bait mixed with 5% cinnamic aldehyde continuously for 27 days in bi-choice feeding tests revealed the persistence of the antifeedant effect. This study demonstrated that 5% cinnamic aldehyde can be used under field conditions to prevent the damage caused by house rats for long durations. A formulation of 5% cinnamic aldehyde containing sodium bicarbonate as an emulsifier prevented rodent damage in terms of consumption of wheat grains, number of cuts on bags, quantity of grains spilled from bags cut by rats and percent damage due to rat urine under simulated storage conditions in laboratory pens for durations up to the experimental period of 15 days. Study of feeding behaviour in feed scale consumption monitoring also confirmed the secondary repellent effect of cinnamic aldehyde against the house rat. Our results indicate that the sodium bicarbonate emulsified formulation of 5% cinnamic aldehyde has the potential to protect stored products from rodent damage in a manner that is effective, persistent and environmentally acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]