title: Inhibitory effects ofCinnamomum burmanniiBlume stem bark extract andtrans-cinnamaldehyde on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells; synergism with cisplatin.
abstract: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy that occurs in the epithelium of the nasopharynx. The standard treatment of NPC patients with locoregionally advanced stages is problematic and is often associated with toxicities. Therefore, it is essential to screen for naturally occurring compounds with strong apoptosis-inducing activity and minimal toxicity. This study investigated the effects of the standardized methanol extract ofCinnamomum burmanniiBlume stem bark and its main constituent,trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), on human NPC cell lines. The content of TCA inC. burmanniimethanol extract was standardized to be 13.61% w/w by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). NPC cell proliferation was clearly inhibited within 24 h of treatment, with TCA exhibiting greater activity than the methanol extract. TCA was more active against NPC cells compared with cisplatin. There was a pronounced downregulation of the proliferation markers, Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the TCA-treated cells; while morphological observation indicated the induction of apoptosis. Caspase activation and prominent DNA damage, which are markers of apoptosis induction were detected. TCA demonstrated the ability to scavenge nitric oxide. The simultaneous combination of TCA and cisplatin produced synergistic anti-proliferative effects. Collectively, these data indicate the potential use of TCA for the treatment of NPC.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pathology Unit, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur 50588;
authors.forename: Maelinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daker
authors.forename: Voon Yee
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Gabriel Akyirem
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Akowuah
authors.forename: Mun Fei
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
keywords: Cinnamomum burmannii; cell proliferation; cisplatin; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; synergism; trans-cinnamaldehyde