title: Immunomodulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by cinnamon metabolite sodium benzoate.
abstract: Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common human demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Sodium benzoate (NaB), a metabolite of cinnamon and a FDA-approved drug against urea cycle disorders in children, is a widely used food additive, which is long known for its microbicidal effect. However, recent studies reveal that apart from its microbicidal effects, NaB can also regulate many immune signaling pathways responsible for inflammation, glial cell activation, switching of T-helper cells, modulation of regulatory T cells, cell-to-cell contact, and migration. As a result, NaB alters the neuroimmunology of EAE and ameliorates the disease process of EAE. In this review, we have made an honest attempt to analyze these newly-discovered immunomodulatory activities of NaB and associated mechanisms that may help in considering this drug for various inflammatory human disorders including MS as primary or adjunct therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Kalipada_Pahan@rush.edu
authors.forename: Kalipada
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pahan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D020160:Sodium Benzoate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005520:Food Preservatives; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D020160:Sodium Benzoate