Cinnamic acid induces neurodevelopmental defects via PPARγ signaling in zebrafish.

ABSTRACTHerbal medicine is an important field focused on the treatment and prevention of various health conditions that may occur due to oxidative stress. Our investigation aimed to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant, and the protective activity of polysaccharides isolated from Cinnamomum cassia (Cc‐Ps). Cc‐Ps underwent thorough characterization through various analytical methods, including UV, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and HPLC. Our analysis showed that the Cc‐Ps exhibited highest amount of uronic acid. In addition, Cc‐Ps extract showed high ability to scavenge 2,2 diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH●), 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3 ethylbenzothiazoline‐6 sulfonic acid radical (ABTS•+), and NO free radicals in reaction system. There was a noticeable decrease in the activity of key antioxidant enzymes such a superoxide dismutase and glutathione (GSH) peroxidase accompanied by an increase in malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress. MET led to a clear impairment of the histopathological structure of both the liver and kidneys. Pretreatment with the polysaccharide extract normalized all biochemical and oxidative parameters. Virtual screening using docking simulations against “Drosophila melanogaster Acetylcholinesterase” was conducted to assess the bio‐insecticidal properties of specific polysaccharide compounds derived from C. cassia. Polysaccharides were effectively protective in the liver and kidneys against the toxic effects of MET under our experimental conditions.

Cinnamon is a valuable commodity, used in medicine and many other fields, and its quality depends on its origin. Therefore, classifying cinnamon by its growing region is essential. This study classified 134 cinnamon samples by their geographical origin based on the content of three key compounds, coumarin, cinnamic acid, and cinnamaldehyde, using machine learning techniques, including XGBoost, support vector machine, random forest, voting, stacking, and convolutional neural network models. The results indicated that the XGBoost model achieved the highest accuracy (76.47%) among the targeted approaches. It also showed that using only the concentrations of these three was insufficient to reliably distinguish cinnamon groups. To address limitations, an untargeted approach used the full HPLC chromatogram at 280 nm. This approach significantly improved classification performance, with voting and stacking models reaching an accuracy of 94.18%. SHapley Additive exPlanations analysis further revealed the retention times corresponding to the most critical signals to model predictions. On the other hand, applying principal component analysis to reduce the data dimensionality significantly improved the performance of the established model to an impressive accuracy of 100%. These results suggested an efficient approach to discriminate cinnamon origins by integrating HPLC data with machine learning.

Optimizing Heat Treatment Conditions for Cinnamomum cassia Wood Modified with Natural Oleoresin and Waste Cooking Oil

The use of medicinal plants has accompanied humanity since ancient times and continues to be a fundamental component of various traditional medical systems, particularly Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Within this framework, the present study aims to analyze the use of surface-releasing medicinal plants in the treatment of Wind–Cold syndromes associated with respiratory conditions, especially the common cold, based on the theoretical and diagnostic principles of TCM. A bibliographic and cross-sectional study was conducted, based on a review of scientific literature, specialized books, and articles indexed in databases such as SciELO and PubMed. The analysis was supported by the eight guiding principles of TCM (Exterior–Interior, Cold–Heat, Deficiency–Excess, and Yin–Yang), which allow for an understanding of the energetic imbalances responsible for respiratory symptoms and guide appropriate therapeutic selection. The results allowed for the identification and description of several medicinal plants traditionally used in Mexico, including Ocimum basilicum (basil), Borago officinalis (borage), Artemisia ludoviciana (mugwort), Gnaphalium spp. (mullein), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), and Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon). These species share energetic properties of a warm or hot nature and a pungent flavor, characteristics that promote the dispersion of exogenous pathogenic factors, the induction of diaphoresis, and the regulation of Lung Qi, contributing to the relief of superficial respiratory symptoms. It is concluded that the rational and well-founded use of surface-releasing medicinal plants, under the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, represents a complementary therapeutic alternative for the management of mild respiratory conditions. However, their application should consider individual patient conditions, possible contraindications, and the need for responsible use based on scientific evidence and validated traditional knowledge.

Abstract Introduction For thousands of years humans have sought out remedies to enhance sexual pleasure, colloquially known as aphrodisiacs. Today many medications such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and bremelanotide have improved sexual well-being, though aphrodisiacs continue to garner significant interest. Objective We aim to explore the fascinating history of aphrodisiacs used across the world. Methods A literature review was conducted through our institution and PubMed. Results Although the term “aphrodisiac” is related to the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite, it was coined by a medieval Arabic historian to describe the roots, spices, plants, herbs, and animal parts used for hundreds of years to arouse sexual desire and enhance erotic pleasure. In ancient Greece Hippocrates touted honey to increase sexual vigor. Red wine is now thought to increase sexual enjoyment via phenols, but was once consumed for its link to pleasure-seeking god Dionysus. Similarly, ancient Romans ate oysters for their tie to Aphrodite’s oceanic birthplace, though current thought is that the high zinc content contributes to testosterone metabolism. Horny goat weed (Epimedium grandiflorum) gained popularity in China in 200 BC after goats were noted to be more sexually excited after consumption. This was later discovered to contain icariin, which increases nitric oxide and acts as a PDE-5 inhibitor. Ancient Chinese people also consumed tiger penis for its similarity to male genitalia. Across the world Mayans would consume chocolate, with some claims that Montezuma would drink up to 50 cups per day to satisfy his many wives. Current thought is that serotonin-producing tryptophan is responsible for the reported feel-good effects. Native North American tribes made an oil of sasafrol from the Sassafras tree, now known as the active ingredient in the recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy). In later years, the establishment of trade routes allowed for exotic aphrodisiacs to be shared across borders. Medieval Arabic medical literature cited Chinese cinnamon and ginger as examples of a myriad of aphrodisiacs for both men and women. Scholar Ibn Al-Jazzeer also recommended eating chickpeas and pepper to create a warm, moist environment for optimal sperm production and sexual engagement. Europeans were heavily influenced by this literature and the exotic traded goods. Opium was popular for enhancing desire and delaying ejaculation to allow for simultaneous orgasm. Satyrion root, a plant resembling an erect phallus, was often ingested, in combination with vanilla due to its resemblance to a vagina. In West Africa yohimbe bark was taken as a sexual performance enhancer and studies showed a pro-sexual effect in animals. Use was widespread in the United States until the 1950s when Western medicine began to discredit the use of aphrodisiacs as having no scientific basis. Herbal aphrodisiacs are still commonly used in West Africa and many areas of the world to this day. Globally, today aphrodisiacs continue to hold consumer interest, as evidenced by the estimated $2.54 billion dollar global sexual health supplement market. Conclusions Humans throughout time and across the world have searched for ways to enhance sexual pleasure. Exploring the history of aphrodisiacs offers intriguing insight into sexual health through the ages. Disclosure No

Comparing thermal resistance of Salmonella in chili (Capsicum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), and black pepper (Piper nigrum) powders.

New microplate disc volatilization assay for in vitro evaluation of toxicity and antimicrobial activity of volatiles in vapour phase.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a Chinese herbal medicine of significant medicinal value, is extensively cultivated worldwide. However, fungal pathogen-induced corm rot disease poses a major challenge to saffron cultivation, causing substantial economic losses and long-standing concern among researchers and industry professionals. The presemt study aimed to accurately and rapidly identify Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. crocus (FOSC) as a crocus-specific pathogen using high-throughput sequencing technology. High-throughput sequencing successfully confirmed FOSC as the pathogen responsible for crocus corm rot, with subsequent tolerance gene predictions indicating its resistance to multiple antibiotics. Among eight tested plant essential oils, Cinnamomum cassia essential oil (CC-EO) exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against FOSC. Cellular-level investigations revealed that CC-EO combats FOSC by compromising spore cell membrane integrity, inducing nuclear DNA fragmentation and promoting reactive oxygen species accumulation. This study represents the first application of high-throughput sequencing to identify the crocus-specific FOSC, and demonstrates that CC-EO holds significant potential for preventing and controlling saffron corm rot through its multi-target antifungal mechanism. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Enhanced lead accumulation in cassia bark linked to lichen and algae: A case study from Northern Vietnam.

Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), a natural compound isolated from the stem bark of Cinnamon cassia, has been recognized as a potential therapeutic agent for treating various diseases, including inflammatory conditions and diverse cancers. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known to induce apoptosis selectively in cancer cells while sparing normal cells. However, resistance to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis is a significant limitation in cancer therapy. This study aimed to investigate whether TCA could enhance the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to TRAIL induced apoptosis and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in this synergistic effect. The study was designed to evaluate the antitumor effects of TCA and TRAIL, both individually and in combination, using colorectal cancer cell lines and in vivo models. Various colorectal cancer cell lines and normal cells were treated with TCA, TRAIL, or their combination. Cell viability assays were conducted to determine the synergistic effects. Western blotting was performed to analyze the expression of ER stress-related proteins. Knockdown of DR5 or CHOP was achieved using siRNA to evaluate its role in the combined anticancer effect. in vivo experiments were conducted to confirm the antitumor effects of the TCA and TRAIL combination. We observed that the combination of TCA and TRAIL exhibits synergistic antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. The anticancer effect was notably enhanced when TCA and TRAIL were used to treat various colorectal cancer cell lines, but not normal cells. Additionally, the levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins, such as phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), increased in a dose-dependent manner when treated with TCA. Significantly, TCA elevated DR5 expression levels through ER stress. Knockdown of CHOP reduced the combined effect of TCA and TRAIL. TCA enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by inducing ER stress and upregulating DR5 expression. These findings suggest that TCA is a promising agent for overcoming TRAIL resistance and improving its therapeutic efficacy in colorectal cancer treatment.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-20306-0.

Unraveling cassia oil's efficacy in alleviating winter-triggered mood disorders in Parkinson's disease patients via aromatherapy-mediated pathways.

Cinnamic acid prevents skeletal muscle atrophy in nephrectomized rats by modulating apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

This study investigated the differences in key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flavor characteristics between essential oils (CEOs) from cinnamon bark and leaf. The volatile compounds of essential oils extracted from Cinnamomum cassia (Xijiang) bark (CEOP) and leaf (CEOY) by hydrodistillation were identified using GC-MS. The results showed that the extraction rates of CEOP and CEOY were 1.56% ± 0.02 and 0.83% ± 0.01 (n = 3), respectively. CEOP and CEOY consisted of 45 and 50 compounds, respectively. Odor activity value (OAV) analysis indicated that cinnamaldehyde (OAV = 935), α-caryophyllene (OAV = 77), and borneol (OAV = 4) played key roles in shaping the aroma of CEOP. Meanwhile, cinnamaldehyde (OAV = 849), nerolidol (OAV = 107), and α-caryophyllene (OAV = 58) were the major contributors to the flavor of CEOY. Electronic nose (E-nose) analysis revealed that sensors W5S and W1W were important for detecting aromatic compounds. Sensory evaluation showed that CEOs differed significantly in spicy, floral, and grassy aromas. These differences may be related to the concentrations of compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, α-caryophyllene, and nerolidol, as well as their interactions with olfactory receptors such as OR2W1 and OR1D2. Cinnamaldehyde activates TRPA1 and TRPV1 to elicit the perception of spiciness. Thus, CEOP may be suitable for baked goods, and CEOY may be suitable for ice cream and beverages. In conclusion, this study provides a theoretical foundation for the precise application of CEOs as condiments in food.

Weeds present a significant challenge to agricultural systems, particularly in the cultivation of high-value crops like saffron. In this study, allelopathic effects of ten medicinal and aromatic plants were screened on germination and growth of lettuce seedlings using the dishpack and cotton-swab methods. The results indicated that clove, ajwain, perovskia and cinnamon strongly inhibited the hypocotyl and radicle growth of lettuce. Then, essential oils (EOs) from the selected plants were formulated into nanoemulsions (in different HLB) and their properties (particle sizes and PDI) were evaluated. The nanoemulsion formulated herbicidal activity from Trachyspermum ammi (ajwain), Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon), and Perovskia abrotanoides (Perovskia) EOs evaluated against common weeds (Agropyron repens, Bromus japonicus, Chenopodium album, Festuca spp). Nanoemulsion formulations with 1% essential oils and an HLB of 15 showed the smallest particle sizes, lower PDI, and greater stability at 4 °C. The results showed that nanoemulsion spraying induced morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes in the weeds. The application of clove, ajwain, perovskia and cinnamon EOs on Agropyron repens and Bromus sp. increased ion leakage. Cinnamon oil on Agropyron repens reduced chlorophyll index, SOD activity (40.7% ), and protein levels (79.83% ), while ajwain oil decreased catalase enzyme activity (39.56%). On Bromus, ajwain EOs caused the greatest reduction in chlorophyll index, while cinnamon and perovskia EOs reduced catalase activity (82.8% and 52.32%, respectively), and clove EO led to the most significant decrease in SOD activity (24%). Nanoemulsion spraying on Festuca caused increased ion leakage (93%) and reduced catalase enzyme activity with ajwain and cinnamon oils (74.87% and 63.07%, respectively), while clove and perovskia oils decreased SOD activity (45% and 41%, respectively). The application of 1% nanoemulsion solutions of natural essential oils caused visible leaf burn symptoms—such as yellowing, chlorosis, necrosis, and tip burn—in all tested weed species within the first five days, with cinnamon and ajwain oils leading to over 90% desiccation after seven days. The results suggest that essential oils, particularly cinnamon, ajwain and clove, could be effective natural herbicides with potential for use in sustainable weed management.

Production performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens fed with different levels of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) as natural feed additives

The dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (AM) is widely utilized in traditional Chinese and Japanese Kampo medicine for its therapeutic effects including digestive improvement, spleen strengthening, and dampness reduction. Atractylenolide III (AIII), an anti-inflammatory and gastric-protective sesquiterpene of AM, serves as a critical chemical reference substance (CRS) of AM, essential for its pharmacological validation. However, its content in the decoction of traditional formula varied due to its chemical properties. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the combinations of AM and other crude drugs in traditional medicinal drug-pair theory by assessing the relationship of extracting conditions, phytochemical profiles, and the bioactivities of the decoctions prepared using various crude drug combinations. AM was decocted with the dried sclerotium of Wolfiporia cocos (WE), the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU), the dried root of Panax ginseng (PG), the dried twig of Cinnamomum cassia (CC), or the dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale (ZO), respectively, with varying ratios. The extraction parameters investigated included the ratio of crude drugs-to-water, heating times, and pH of the decoction. The contents of AIII and other CRS were analyzed using HPLC. Bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells, gastroprotective effects in gastric mucosal cells, and antioxidative effects in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells, were also evaluated. The best extracting yield of AIII from AM was achieved with the ratio of crude drugs to water 1:60 (w/v) for 30-90min of heating time at pH 5. The combinations of crude drugs significantly affected AIII turnover rates, with the highest yield obtained from formulations containing 25% AM, particularly the Lingguizhugantang (ryokeijutsukanto, LGZGT) that contains AM, WE, GU, and CC. The combination of crude drugs enhanced pharmacological activities, with LGZGT notably improving gastric mucosal protection and anti-inflammatory effects. In contrast, Shenzhetang (jinchakuto, SZT) that contains AM, WE, GU, and ZO, exhibited notable anti-inflammatory effects attributed to increased 6-gingerol content despite a reduced AIII concentration. These findings provide critical insights into optimizing AM-based formulations in traditional Chinese or Japanese Kampo medicinal theory for improving clinical efficacies and standardized phytochemical quality control.

In vitro acaricidal effects of essential oils against Rhipicephalus microplus via bioinformatics targeting of triosephosphate isomerase.

Essential oils (EOs) are promising safe and natural alternatives for pasteurization and synthetic preservation of orange juice. The current research investigates the efficacy of Cinnamomum cassia essential oil (CCEO) as a natural food preservative and flavoring agent in orange juice. We evaluated the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensorial qualities of the juice treated with CCEO over 28 days of storage at 4°C, with measurements taken on every day 7. Results showed that CCEO significantly improved quality indicators by reducing browning reactions and inhibiting pectin methyl esterase activity (p < 0.05). However, potential hydrogen and titratable acidity remained unaffected (p > 0.05). CCEO significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the microbiological and sensory properties of orange juice by reducing microbial load and enhancing taste, color, flavor, and the overall acceptability parameters. These findings demonstrated the potential of CCEO as a natural food preservative and flavoring agent for orange juice.

Alzheimer’s disease is linked with reduced levels of acetylcholine due to elevated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Antioxidants and natural AChE inhibitors (AChEIs) are becoming more popular due to their potential neuroprotective benefits. The present work aimed to enhance the production of AChE inhibitors by Lactobacillus fermentum using phytogenic substrates and evaluate their neuroprotective effects in a zebrafish model. Media optimization was carried out using response surface methodology (RSM) with Cinnamomum cassia (0.5 mg/mL), Syzygium aromaticum (1 mg/mL), and Phoenix dactylifera seed (1 mg/mL) as substrates. AChE inhibition was predicted using a quadratic model (R2 = 97.61%), and the maximal inhibition of 28.69% closely matched the expected value of 28.56% (Run no 11). The optimized L. fermentum chloroform extract (OLFCE) exhibited a strong antioxidant potential, with 75.09% DPPH scavenging activity. OLFCE exhibited minimal cytotoxicity on H2O2-induced PC12 cell line, maintaining 95–99% cell viability across all tested concentrations. Treatment of zebrafish with 2.5–10 mg/mL OLFCE significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and decreased AChE levels in brain, liver, and plasma. GC-MS analysis of OLFCE revealed high levels of potential AChEIs i.e. 3,4-dimethyl benzaldehyde (66.81%) and phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) (16.84%). This study demonstrates, for the first time, that substrate-optimized L. fermentum can produce potent AChEIs and antioxidant compounds, as validated through in vivo zebrafish assays. The findings suggest that OLFCE has promising Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor activity, which can be used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease in the future.