title: Anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon (C. zeylanicum and C. cassia) extracts - identification of E-cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxy cinnamaldehyde as the most potent bioactive compounds.
abstract: Chronic inflammation is a contributing factor in many age-related diseases. In a previous study, we have shown that Sri Lankan cinnamon (C. zeylanicum) was one of the most potent anti-inflammatory foods out of 115 foods tested. However, knowledge about the exact nature of the anti-inflammatory compounds and their distribution in the two major cinnamon species used for human consumption is limited. The aim of this investigation was to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of C. zeylanicum and C. cassia and elucidate their main phytochemical compounds. When extracts were tested in LPS and IFN-γ activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, most of the anti-inflammatory activity, measured by down-regulation of nitric oxide and TNF-α production, was observed in the organic extracts. The most abundant compounds in these extracts were E-cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxycinnamaldehyde. The highest concentration of E-cinnamaldehyde was found in the DCM extract of C. zeylanicum or C. cassia (31 and 34 mg g(-1) of cinnamon, respectively). When these and other constituents were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 and J774A.1 macrophages, the most potent compounds were E-cinnamaldehyde and o-methoxycinnamaldehyde, which exhibited IC₅₀ values for NO with RAW 264.7 cells of 55 ± 9 μM (7.3 ± 1.2 μg mL(-1)) and 35 ± 9 μM (5.7 ± 1.5 μg mL(-1)), respectively; and IC₅₀ values for TNF-α of 63 ± 9 μM (8.3 ± 1.2 μg mL(-1)) and 78 ± 16 μM (12.6 ± 2.6 μg mL(-1)), respectively. If therapeutic concentrations can be achieved in target tissues, cinnamon and its components may be useful in the treatment of age-related inflammatory conditions.
authors: School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. g.muench@uws.edu.au.
authors: Dhanushka
authors: D
authors: Gunawardena
authors: Niloo
authors: N
authors: Karunaweera
authors: Samiuela
authors: S
authors: Lee
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: van Der Kooy
authors: David G
authors: DG
authors: Harman
authors: Ritesh
authors: R
authors: Raju
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Bennett
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Gyengesi
authors: Nikolaus J
authors: NJ
authors: Sucher
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Münch
mesh_terms: D000171:Acrolein / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D032904:Cinnamomum aromaticum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D013188:Sri Lanka; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C017910:2-methoxycinnamaldehyde; D000171:Acrolein; C012843:cinnamaldehyde