Cinnamomum Cassia Research Articles

Identification and characterization of the cytochrome p450 complement in <i>Streptomyces cavourensis</i> YBQ59

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) are regarded as some of the most versatile biocatalysts. They are attractive candidates for natural product development because of their ability to selectively oxidize a broad range of substrates. Streptomyces spp. are not only producers of biologically active secondary metabolites but also a rich source of P450 enzymes. However, only a limited number of studies have explored the function and potential of P450 enzymes encoded in the Streptomyces genomes. In this study, the endophytic Streptomyces cavourensis YBQ59 isolated from Cinnamomum cassia J. Presl was sequenced using the Illumina sequencing platform to identify its P450 enzymes. The genome of YBQ59 was approximately 8,126,002 bp in size, with a G + C content of 72.1% and contained 7,020 genes. Genome annotation identified 21 CYP genes, distributed across 10 CYP families and 17 subfamilies. The possible role of these P450 enzymes in the synthesis of secondary metabolites was discussed. Since CYPs often require electron transport proteins to function, we analyzed the physical map of the genes encoding ferredoxins and ferredoxin reductases found in the genome of S. cavourensis YBQ59. Additionally, a phylogenetic tree was constructed to compare the P450 enzyme system from S. cavourensis YBQ59 with those of closely related and well-studied Streptomyces species, including Streptomyces sp. CFMR7, S. fulvissimus DSM 40593, S. griseus IFO 13350, and S. globisporus 1912. These results provide a basis for exploiting potential P450 enzymes from S. cavourensis YBQ59 for agricultural and medicinal applications.

Beaveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin combined with cinnamaldehyde enhances anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects of T cells by the PGC-1α/DRP1-regulated mitochondrial biogenesis and fission

Beaveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (BEA) and cinnamaldehyde (CA), primarily derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) named Bombyx batryticatus and Cinnamomum cassia, play an immunomodulatory role in different disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor characterized by immune dysfunction. In this study, we investigated BEA and CA's regulate ability on T cell mitochondrial metabolism and anti-HCC effect. We used RT-qPCR, Western blot, Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), Flow CytoMetry (FCM) methods to examine BEA and CA's regulation of T cell mitochondrial function and anti-HCC ability. Furthermore, the mechanism of PGC-1α/DRP1 pathway on the morphology and function of T cell mitochondria was investigated. Our data demonstrated that the administration of BEA and CA, either alone or in combination, effectively suppressed HCC growth and mitigated T cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, assessed by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP level. Moreover, BEA and CA could enhance the release of tumor-killing factors (Perforin (PF) and Granzyme B (Gzm B)) from T cells, inducing H22 cell apoptosis. Additionally, BEA and CA-treated T cell reinfusion into BALB/c nude HCC mice could significantly inhibited HCC growth by promoting T cell infiltration into tumor tissue. T cell mitochondrial biogenesis/fission balance and apoptosis in tumor mice were regulated by PGC-1α/DRP1 pathway. Our findings reveal that BEA and CA enhance anti-HCC effects of T cells by regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and fission through the PGC-1α/DRP1 pathway.

Fighting H. pylori with Medicinal Plants: A Study on Jordan's Traditional Remedies

Aims of the Study: This study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants used among Jordanians for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcers against H. pylori. Moreover, plants' inhibitory activity against the H. pylori urease enzyme was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: The activity of 11 medicinal plants used by common people and herbalists to treat ulcers was evaluated against H. pylori (NCTC 11916). Ethanol and essential oil extracts from the tested plants were evaluated using a standard agar dilution method and the MICs were determined. Furthermore, the potential inhibitory effect of each preparation was tested against the enzyme urease using a kinetic colorimetric assay. Results: Cinnamomum cassia oil showed the highest efficiency against H. pylori with the lowest MIC (0.0122 mg.mL-1), followed by Origanum syriacum and Foeniculum vulgare (MICs of 0.39 mg.mL-1). Furthermore, significant urease inhibition activity was recorded for Carum carvi oil (IC50~0.45 mg.mL-1). C. cassia oil (IC50 ~2.8 mg.mL-1), Aloysia citriodora, and Artemisia Judaica (IC50 5.8 mg.mL-1) reported potential urease inhibition activities. Conclusion: Herbs used in Jordanian traditional medicine were found to have anti-H. pylori and significant urease inhibitory activity. These findings might support the use of medicinal plants as adjuvant or alternative therapy for the treatment of H. pylori.

Effects of Phenolic Plant Extracts on Biofilm Formation by Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections

Ten isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, seven isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and nine isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, were obtained from 100 urine samples collected from Baghdad hospitals. All isolates were identified biochemically and confirmed by using VITEK 2 and were then tested for their susceptibility towards 6 antibiotics and for phenolic extracts of Thymus vulgaris and Cinnamomum cassia. All bacteria were greatly affected by T. vulgaris, especially K. pneumoniae. Viable count was performed, it was noted that the number of bacterial cells reduced from 1×108 CFU to 1.2× 103, 2×105 and 1.8×106CFU of K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus respectively. While C. cassiahad a slight effect on them. K. pneumoniae isolates which were affected by phenolic extract more than the other bacteria under study and at the same time were resistant to more than one type of tested antibiotics. These isolates were taken to detect their ability to form biofilm by using Congo red as screening method for it. The results showed that all isolates produced biofilms. Also, by using microtiter plate method, the results confirmed that all isolates produced biofilm where 7 isolates were strong biofilm producers and 3 were moderate. The strongest isolate was taken to study the effect of T. vulgaris and C. cassia phenolic extract on its biofilm formation by using microtiter plate method with two concentrations (20 and 40 ml/L). The results showed that biofilm reduction was 45% and 73% for T. vulgaris and that for C. cassiait was 15% and 20% after using 20 and 40 ml/L respectively.

Cinnamon Polyphenols Ameliorate the Dysregulation of Cardiac Energy and Autophagic Homeostasis in Rats with Diabetic Cardiomyopathy via the mTOR/PGC1α Pathway

Background Inflammation mediated by hyperglycemia, lipid metabolism disorders, abnormal myocardial energy metabolism, myocardial cell damage, and changes in ventricular structure are important mechanisms in the occurrence and development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Cinnamon polyphenols (CP) are extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine cinnamon, which is believed to have cardioprotective effects and has been used in China for hundreds of years. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of CP on DCM and its possible mechanisms. Methods The DCM model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of 85 mg/kg 1% streptozotocin in rats. The treatment group was orally administered 135 mg/kg CP for 28 consecutive days, a dosage verified by experiments on AC16 myocardial cells and detecting liver and kidney injury markers. Results CP could reduce high blood sugar, high blood lipids, left ventricular mass index, levels of myocardial injury markers, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the model group. It also improved weight loss, and increased myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), phosphocreatine (PCr), and ATP/ADP, AMP/ATP, and PCr/ATP ratios. The expression of p-mTOR/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p62, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) in the myocardium of the CP group was enhanced, while the expression of LC3II/LC3I was inhibited. Conclusion CPs can alleviate myocardial damage by reducing blood sugar, blood lipids, and abnormal autophagy levels while promoting the restoration of myocardial energy metabolism homeostasis.

A botanical nanoemulsion against phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium oxysporum: Preparation, in vitro and in vivo bioassay

A botanical nanoemulsion (NE) comprised of cinnamaldehyde (from Cinnamomum cassia oil) and annonaceous acetogenin (AAs) (from Annona squamocin seeds extract) was fabricated using sonication. The nanoemulsion was tested for their in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity against Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium oxysporum the disease-causal agents in fruit and vegetable crops. The best average of nanoemulsion hydrodynamic diameter was 245.3 nm, and the polydispersity index (PI) was 0.499 based on DLS measurement. Zeta potential of the nanoemulsion was determined to be −44.2 mV, indicating the stability of the droplets. In vitro antifungal bioassay of the nanoemulsion showed the best inhibition against Colletotrichum sp. by 53.9 % when tested at a dilution rate of 1:100 (v/v). For F. oxysporum, the nanomaterial also inhibited mycelial growth by 91.6 % at the same dilution rate. When tested at dilution rates of 1:200 and 1:400 (v/v), the nanoemulsions caused moderate and weak inhibitions from 30.9 % to 52.8 % for all fungi. In vivo experiment, the nano-emulsion at 1:200 (v/v) dilution demonstrated an antifungal efficacy of 57.1 % (after 4 days) and 49.6 % (after 7 days) of testing. Besides, the mechanism of action has also been elucidated through molecular interaction models between the main compounds with eburicol 14α-demethylase. Our research indicates that botanical nanoemulsion containing cinnamon oil and AAs have a remarkable potential to suppress phytopathogenic fungi and prevent the spread of fungal diseases in tropical fruits and vegetables such as tomato and other crops of Solanaceae family.

Cinnamaldehyde as a Potential Cathepsin-B Inhibitor: A Comparative Investigation with some Commercial Anticancer Drugs.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, surpassed only by heart disease. Despite improved diagnosis and treatment, cancer cells still evade normal physiological processes such as apoptosis, metabolism, angiogenesis, cell cycle, and epigenetics. To mitigate the numerous side effects linked to chemotherapy, leveraging natural products emerged as a promising alternative, either alone or in tandem with traditional agents. Cinnamaldehyde, an active ingredient of Cinnamomum cassia's stem bark has emerged as a molecule of research with diverse pharmacological properties. In the present study, we report an in silico potential of cinnamaldehyde (CM) potential as an anticancer agent across thirteen anti-cancer targets in comparison with chlorambucil (CB), docetaxel (DOC), melphalan (MP). Computational tools such as DFT, CHEM3D, molinspiration, vNNADMET, SWISS ADME, admetSAR, galaxyrefine, iGEMDOCK, and DS-Visualizer were employed. Additionally, anti-cathepsin B activity was assessed for cinnamaldehyde and the commercial drugs CB, DOC, MP and the results showed 52.76, 62.41, 72.48 and 65.52 % inhibition respectively which is comparable. The results supported molecular docking using iGEMDOCK. Both in silico and experimental findings substantiate cinnamaldehyde as a promising drug for cancer treatment including metastasis and invasion where cathepsin B involvement is indicated.

Insights into the antifungal activity and mechanisms of cinnamon components against Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum

Fungal spoilage of food and the excessive use of chemical disinfectants serves potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Consequently, there is a growing interest in exploring natural alternatives, particularly plant-derived antimicrobial preservatives. Cinnamon extracts are known for their antifungal activity, but most research has focused on essential oils, rarely on other bioactive components. This study assessed the antifungal activity and underlying mechanisms of four components—trans-cinnamaldehyde, cis-2-methoxycinnamic acid, coumarin, and o-methoxycinnamaldehyde—extracted from Cinnamomum cassia Presl (cinnamon) against Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum. These cinnamon components can inhibit the two fungi strains at the minimum inhibitory concentration ranged from 0.30 to 8.55 mmol/L. These components can disrupt fungal cell membranes by enhancing relative electrical conductivity and cytoplasmic content leakage, reducing ergosterol content, and increasing malondialdehyde level. Additionally, they can affect fungal cell wall integrity, leading to the leakage of alkaline phosphatase and alterations in the contents of β-1,3-glucan and chitin. Moreover, the cinnamon components influenced the activities of malate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, as well as adenosine triphosphate levels. The observed suppression of fungal contamination in A. flavus and P. citrinum suggests that these cinnamon components as potential natural antifungal agents.

Antioxidant activities of chitosan-based films containing cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia Blume) extract and its application on chicken preservation

Antioxidant activities of chitosan-based films containing cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia Blume) extract and its application on chicken preservation

Uncovering the Biological Applications of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives: A Patent Review

Background: Cinnamic acid, derived from Cinnamomum cassia, is a natural compound known for its wide-ranging therapeutic properties and minimal toxicity. Extensive research has demonstrated the diverse biological activities displayed by cinnamic acid derivatives, encompassing their potential as agents against cancer, diabetes, microbial infections, tuberculosis, malaria, and more. Objective: This review aims to provide an overview of the latest applications detailing the biological activity of cinnamic acid derivatives, as documented in patents. Methods: The published patent data underwent a prior screening and selection process based on their relevance and primary focus: the biological activities of cinnamic acid derivatives as potential drugs. Espacenet, USPTO, and Google Patents were used for this selection. Results: Cinnamic acid derivatives demonstrate a range of activities, including anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticholinesterase, and other properties. These biological activities were investigated across different derivatives, emphasizing their pharmacological potential when compared to reference compounds. Conclusions: Despite several patents have explored the biological properties of cinnamic acid derivatives, there has been a lack of a comprehensive review dedicated to this subject. Accordingly, this review aims to facilitate the discovery of new and diverse potential drugs with various therapeutic profiles.

Sustainable Bacterial Control of Hatching Eggshells Using Essential Oils.

Background: Decontamination of poultry surfaces through appropriate hygiene and sanitation measures can partially mitigate bacterial problems, as this process does not result in the complete elimination of bacteria. Thus, the remaining bacteria can persist and contaminate eggshells. Therefore, regardless of the rigor of the sanitary standards applied on farms, it is suggested that hatching eggs be subjected to the sanitization process. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of essential oil-based antibacterial agents in sanitizing eggs. Results: The results indicated that essential oils from Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl. (CCEO), Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry (SAEO) and Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle (CNEO), at specific concentrations, have antibacterial effects in vitro, reducing the load of mesophilic bacteria and enterobacteria in the eggshell by at least 3 and 2 log10 CFU/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The adoption of CCEO, SAEO and CNEO to reduce the bacterial load on eggshells could be a favorable change to the conventional protocol of egg sanitization with formaldehyde, especially on farms where sanitary standards are insufficient.

Antimicrobial and modulating activity of essential oils against bacteria isolated from goat dairy products in northeastern Brazil

In recent years, novel strategies to combat (multi-) drug-resistant microorganisms have been investigated. Essential oils (EOs) with bactericidal, bacteriostatic, and fungicidal activity have been used to treat infections and in food sanitation. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial and modulating activity of Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon) and Eugenia caryophyllus (clove) essential oils against microorganisms isolated from goat milk processing plants in northeastern Brazil, and their synergistic effect when combined with antimicrobial agents. The microdilution technique was used to obtain the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal concentrations (MBC) and the antibiotics studied were ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalothin, ceftazidime, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, meropenem, norfloxacin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and tetracycline. Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC50) and Escherichia coli (MIC90) were sensitive to cinnamon EO. Clove EO did not inhibit the growth of either microorganism. In regard to MBC, cinnamon EO had a bactericidal effect against six K. pneumoniae and six E. coli samples. For the antibiotics evaluated, a greater synergistic effect was observed for cinnamon EO associated with gentamicin and meropenem, and antagonistic effect with ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and tetracycline. As such, EOs may be an alternative for the control of pathogenic microorganisms.

Investigation of the impact of diverse climate conditions on the cultivation suitability of Cinnamomum cassia using the MaxEnt model, HPLC and chemometric methods in China

Cinnamomum cassia Presl. is a subtropical plant that is used for food and medicine. Climate change has changed the suitable habitats of medicinal plants, which might have repercussions for the efficacy of herbal remedies. In this study, the potential distribution in each period of Cinnamomum cassia was predicted and the quality in different suitable habitats was evaluated. According to the results, (1) precipitation, temperature, and soil are the primary environmental variables influencing C. cassia distribution. (2) The high-suitable habitats of current climate scenarios were predominantly located in the southern regions (Guangdong and Guangxi etc.) of China, with an area of 706,129.08 km2. Under future climate scenarios, suitable habitats will increasingly move northward, with a greater concentration south of the Yangtze River, particularly in the 2090s SSP585 scenario, the total area of newly extended suitable habitat reaches 312,963.53 km2. (3) HPLC and FTIR, combined with chemometrics, can be effective methods for identifying different suitable habitats of C. cassia. The content of trans-cinnamaldehyde (0.85%) is significantly higher in the high suitability habitat compared to the medium-low suitability habitat (0.30%). Our findings can offer valuable guidance for the identification of suitable C. cassia cultivation areas in China, as well as for the evaluation of C. cassia resource quality and the rational use of resources in different suitable habitats.

Analysis of pharmacological effects and mechanisms of compound essential oils via GC-MS and network pharmacology.

Aromatherapy based on essential oil (EO) has been widely used for alleviating pain and intense where no compound EO reports its application on pharmacological effects. In order to explore the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and mechanism of a compound EO, a blend of Artemisia argyi, Boswellia carterii, Commiphora myrrha, Cinnamomum cassia, Zingiber oj-jicinale, and Ilex pubescens EO, in treating neck and shoulder pain (NSP). Network pharmacology hyphenated with mice model was employed to investigate. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied for the identification of constituents in compound EO. Lastly, transdermal absorption of compound EO was studied before verifying analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice. Totally, 75 compounds were tentatively identified through GC-MS, predicting 46 potential analgesic targets. Moreover, 11 core targets were obtained through network topology screening. Animal test resulted that the compound EO had significantly stronger anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects compared to single EO. Multiple API in compound EO affected on targets and exerted therapeutic effects on NSP through multiple pathways. Afterwards, eucalyptol, camphor, and borneol from compound EO exhibited a sustained-release effect, which provide scientific basis to illustrate the application of compound EO in clinical.

Comparative metabolomics in gauging the quality of Embelia ribes Burm. f. fruits in the market trade

Adulteration and substitution in the market trade is a huge problem. Embelia ribes (ER) fruits are used as condiments and in drug formulations that claim substantial market demands. We assessed the trade of ER fruits across Maharashtra, India, for authentication and quality assessment. MaturaseK amplification identified ER’s close relatives E. tsjeriam-cottam (ET) and E. vestita (EV) (Primulaceae), and distant genera Basella alba (BA) (Basellaceae) and Cinnamomum aromaticum (CA) (Lauraceae) fruits in the market trade. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based comparative metabolomics revealed that ER fruits are metabolically diverse than others. Multivariate analysis showed that ET shares maximum compound similarity with ER and possesses all ER’s major compound classes. However, the percentage of benzoquinones, flavonoids, and furans is less in ET than in ER. Moreover, ER and ET metabolites are associated with different pathways. We conclude that although ET is deemed a good ER substitute, ER replacement by ET altered chemical synergy.

Physiological and gene expression response mechanisms of dehydration process in Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl seeds.

A critical factor in the storability of recalcitrant seeds is their moisture content (MC), but its effect on the viability of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl (C. cassia) seeds is not fully understood. Measured the germination rate, starch and soluble sugar content, and transcriptome of 8 seed samples with different MC obtained by low-temperature drying method. It was found that the germination rate was significantly negatively correlated with MC. The lethal MC was around 15.6%. During the dehydration process, there was a significant increase in the content of soluble sugars and starch. Transcriptome analysis was performed on CK, W3, W6 showed a total of 62.78 Gb of clean data. Among the 30,228 Unigenes, 28,195 were successfully annotated. In the three comparative groups (CK and W3, CK and W6, W3 and W6), 6,842, 7,640, and 11,628 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained, respectively. These DEGs were found to be involved in a variety of metabolic pathways, including carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and nucleotide and amino sugar metabolism. A total of 1,416 common genes were identified among all three comparison groups. Furthermore, among all the DEGs, a total of 71 transcription factor families were identified, with the C2H2 transcription factor family having the highest number of genes. This ground-breaking study sheds light on the physiological response and gene expression profiles of C. cassia seeds after undergoing dehydration treatment, which will provide valuable insights for further research and understanding of this process.

Phytotherapeutic BS012 and Its Active Component Ameliorate Allergic Asthma via Inhibition of Th2-Mediated Immune Response and Apoptosis.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin to induce allergic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma were analyzed for interleukin and immunoglobulin E levels. Histological analyses of the lungs were performed to measure morphological changes. Apoptosis-related mediators were assayed by western blotting. Plasma and lung tissue metabolomic analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic changes. A T-helper-2-like differentiated cell model was used to identify the active components of BS012. BS012 treatment improved inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. BS012 also significantly downregulated ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E in plasma and T-helper-2-specific cytokines, interleukin-4 and -5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of ovalbumin-inhaled mice exhibited nerve growth factor-mediated apoptotic protein expression, which was significantly attenuated by BS012 treatment. Ovalbumin-induced abnormalities in amino acid and lipid metabolism were improved by BS012 in correlation with its anti-inflammatory properties and normalization of energy metabolism. Additionally, the differentiated cell model revealed that N-isobutyl-dodecatetraenamide is an active component that contributes to the anti-allergic properties of BS012. The current findings demonstrate the anti-allergic and respiratory protective functions of BS012 against allergic asthma, which can be considered a therapeutic candidate.

Simultaneous quantitative analysis of some main components in cinnamon leaves (Cinnamomum cassia) by HPLC-PDA

Cinnamon leaves, a part of the cinnamon tree, are used as raw materials to extract cinnamon essential oil and as a spice in food processing. Trans-cinnamaldehyde is the main ingredients that have biological effects and high concentration in cinnamon, cinnamic acid is often used as a marker in the quantification methods of cinnamon, coumarin is the ingredient that needs to be controlled due to risk of liver toxicity. So that, cinnamaldehyde (CAL), cinnamic acid (CA) and coumarin (CM) have been choosen to determin quality of cinnamon leaves. The analytes in the test sample were extracted with methanol:water ratio 9:1 by ultrasound twice 30 minutes and resting for 30 minutes between extractions. The ultrasonic extract was analyzed using an HPLC-PDA, C18 column (250×4.6 mm, 5 µm) at 25°C, mobile phase system consisting of acetonitrile and 0.05% phosphoric acid is eluted according to the program's gradient, detection wavelength 280 nm. The method was determined according to AOAC 2016 guidelines with appropriate specificity and linearity ranging from 51.90-691.31 µg/mL for coumarin, 1.00-20.10 µg/mL for cinnamic acid and 52.45-609.8 µg/mL for trans-cinnamaldehyde, good repeatability with RSD from 0.46% to 0.61%, accuracy of coumarin, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyd were 101.0%, 100.7% and 100.7% respectively, meets AOAC requirements at 3 concentration levels. The study applied quantitative research methods to quantify coumarin, cinnamic acid and transcinnamaldehyde on 17 C. cassia leaves samples collected in provinces in Vietnam. In result, analyte concentrations varied widely between samples, with coumarin ranging from 0.53- 2.47%, cinnamic acid from 0.01-0.08%, and cinnamaldehyde from 0.95-2.56%.

Bioactive Compounds from Natural Products as RHOA/ROCK and VEGFR1 Inhibitors: An In-silico Approach for Developing Therapeutics for ALI/ARDS

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a dangerous lung condition characterised by non-cardiogenic pulmonary edoema caused by various factors, including inflammation and hypoxia. It is a more severe and evolved form of Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and requires the patient to be on mechanical ventilation for survival. Several medicinal plants, herbs, oils, and natural extracts have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties and their targeted action on respiratory disorders. The target of the current study is to elaborate on the target-specific action of bioactive compounds from natural products by Molecular Docking and study their drug-likeness along with their other important pharmacokinetic properties. Bioactive compounds (total 71) from Zingiber officinale (ginger), Trifolium pratense (red clover), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli), Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon), Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), and Glycine max (soybean) were selected to be investigated and were screened against RhoA and VEGFR1. The ADMET properties and drug-likeness of the bioactive compounds were studied using Molinspiration and ADMETlab 2.0. Docking studies revealed that Hecogenin (-8.4 and -10.3 kcal/mol), Neotigogenin (-7.7 and -9.8 kcal/mol), and Neohecogenin (-7.6 and -9.7 kcal/mol) produced the best docking results, showing the lowest binding energies for RhoA and VEGFR1, respectively. These energies were found to be comparable to the standard ligands Fasudil (-7.3 kcal/mol for RhoA) and Pazopanib (-8.0 kcal/mol for VEGFR1) for the selected targets. Moreover, Stigmasterol (-7.6 kcal/mol) and Genistein (-8.4 kcal/mol) showed a good binding affinity with RhoA and VEGFR1, respectively. The ADME properties of these molecules were also studied. Thus, the best-docked ligands mentioned above can be used as potential novel compounds against these two targets to develop therapeutics against ARDS. Further in-vitro and in-vivo experiments are required to cement these claims and prepare next-generation natural therapeutics for ARDS.

Unlocking the potential: Cinnamomum cassia (L.) D. Don aqueous extracts as natural defenders against MSRV in largemouth bass aquaculture

Aquatic viral diseases pose significant threats to aquaculture, necessitating the exploration of effective preventive measures. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral potential of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) D. Don (CCD) aqueous extracts against Micropterus salmoides rhabdovirus (MSRV) in largemouth bass aquaculture. Initially, twelve plant extracts were screened for antiviral activity against MSRV, revealing that CCD extracts at 100 mg/L concentration significantly inhibited MSRV proliferation in vitro. Further dose-response analysis revealed a concentration-dependent antiviral effect of CCD extracts, with higher concentrations demonstrating increased efficacy against MSRV. Subsequent investigations focused on the protective effects of CCD extracts on MSRV-infected cells. At a concentration of 63 mg/L, CCD extracts significantly reduced MSRV titers, preventing the onset of cytopathic effects (CPE) in cells. Fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy further illustrated the protective effects of CCD extracts on cellular morphology. MSRV-infected cells treated with CCD exhibited preserved cell morphology akin to normal cells, contrasting with the typical apoptotic features observed in untreated infected cells. Additionally, dietary supplementation of CCD extracts in largemouth bass demonstrated notable benefits. Fish fed with CCD extracts exhibited increased survival rates when infected with MSRV, with a 26 % higher survival rate compared to the virus-only group. Furthermore, CCD supplementation enhanced the expression of interferon-gamma (IFNγ), indicating improved immune responses in largemouth bass. Moreover, immersion of CCD extracts in water showed partial inhibition of horizontal MSRV transmission, effectively reducing viral spread and mitigating disease risks in fish populations. These findings highlight the potential of CCD aqueous extracts as feed additives for combating MSRV in aquaculture, showcasing their promising application prospects in disease prevention and control strategies.