Cinnamaldehyde is a natural compound extracted from the plant cinnamon. It has tremendous therapeutic uses because of its antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

Antibacterial

Studies have shown that Cinnamaldehyde has an inhibitory effect on the growth of Aspergillus niger. Aspergillus niger is a major spoilage mould in fruits and nuts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cinnamaldehyde against Aspergillus niger was 40 μg/mL. The MIC of Cinnamaldehyde completely inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger for up to 14 days at different temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 37 °C, and the inhibition of mycelial growth was still higher than 80% after 21 and 28 days of incubation. Cinnamaldehyde can be used as a natural antimicrobial additive in food.

In addition, Cinnamaldehyde also inhibits the growth of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. as well as a range of Gram-negative and positive bacteria, including: Bacillus subtilis, Campylobacter jejuni, Cronobacter sakazakii, E. coli, Staphylococcus spp., Lactobacillus sakei, Listeria spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis, Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp., Streptococcus pyogenes, and Vibrio spp.

Anti-inflammatory

Cinnamaldehyde inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori and ameliorates intestinal inflammation by inhibiting TLR4 activation. It may also have anti-inflammatory and tissue-repairing effects on gingival fibroblasts and macrophages, making it a potential active ingredient in the treatment of recurrent stomatitis.

Antidiabetes

Studies have shown that Cinnamaldehyde is a potent glucosidase inhibitor. It inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under hyperglycaemic conditions and improves insulin sensitivity by modulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and protein kinase B2 (Akt2) signalling pathways, thereby exerting an antidiabetic effect. However, its oral bioavailability is low, and the presence of chitosan nanoparticles can improve the bioavailability of cinnamaldehyde.

Anticancer

Cinnamaldehyde is a potential candidate for a novel anticancer drug. In a study on the effect of cinnamaldehyde on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) expression in mouse U14 cervical cancer tissues, it was found that tumour cells were suppressed and vital signs improved in mice treated with low (60 mg/kg) and high (240 mg/kg) doses of cinnamaldehyde for 14 d. The PI cinnamaldehyde prevented the formation of U14 tumours in mice by blocking the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. U14 tumour formation in mice by blocking the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The Schiff base and metal complexes of cinnamaldehyde have higher cellular uptake and specific medicinal properties compared to cinnamaldehyde.

References:

[1] GHARDASHPOUR M, SAEEDI M, NEGARANDEH R, et al. Anti-inflammatory and tissue repair effect of cinnamaldehyde and nano cinnamaldehyde on gingival fibroblasts and macrophages[J]. BMC Oral Health, 2023. DOI:10.1186/s12903-023-03682-9.

[2] P. R. SARJONO. Encapsulation of Cinnamaldehyde using Chitosan: Stability, Mucoadhesive and Cinnamaldehyde Release[J]. Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi, 2018. DOI:10.14710/JKSA.21.4.175-181.

[3] MATAN N. Growth Inhibition of Aspergillus niger by Cinnamaldehyde and Eugenol[C]. 2011. DOI:10.2004/WJST.V4I1.124.

[4] NEETU SINGH; Surender S Y. Antimicrobial and anticancer insights of cinnamaldehyde Schiff bases and metal complexes[J]. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 2024. DOI:10.1016/j.inoche.2024.112724.