title: Immunomodulatory effect of water extract of cinnamon on anti-CD3-induced cytokine responses and p38, JNK, ERK1/2, and STAT4 activation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cinnamon bark is a very popular herb used in traditional medicine to treat various disorders such as chronic gastric symptoms, arthritis, and the common cold.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The immunomodulatory effect of water extract of cinnamon bark (CWE) on cytokine secretion and involvement of intracellular signaling molecules in activated T cells have been examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were orally administered CWE for 7 days. Serum was obtained 90 min after intravenous injection of anti-CD3 antibody (Ab). Splenocytes were cultured with anti-CD3 Ab and CWE for cytokine expression, cell cycle, apoptotic/necrotic changes, and viability. IκBα, p38, JNK, ERK1/2, STAT4, and STAT6 were analyzed using western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of CWE decreased systemic levels of IFN-γ, but not the levels of IL-4 or IL-2. In vitro, CWE inhibited anti-CD3 Ab-stimulated IFN-γ and IL-4 at the mRNA and secreted protein levels. Despite its inhibition of IL-2 transcript, CWE enhanced IL-2 secretion. CWE treatment caused a reduction in the sub-G1 phase, accompanied by an increased ratio of apoptotic cells to necrotic cells. The increased IL-2 secretion by CWE was not mediated by its direct effect on CD4 T cells. CWE inhibited the activation of p38, JNK, ERK1/2, and STAT4, but not IκBα degradation or STAT6.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These observations provided evidence that CWE was able to down-regulate IFN-γ expression in activated T cells without altering IL-2 production, involving inhibition of p38, JNK, ERK1/2, and STAT4. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the immunomodulatory action of cinnamon bark for the application of inflammatory disorders.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Korean Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Beom-Joon
authors: BJ
authors: Lee
authors: Youn-Jung
authors: YJ
authors: Kim
authors: Dong-Hyung
authors: DH
authors: Cho
authors: Nak-Won
authors: NW
authors: Sohn
authors: Hee
authors: H
authors: Kang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; C494091:Stat4 protein, mouse; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4