Cinnamon: an aromatic condiment applicable to chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Cinnamon, a member of the Lauraceae family, has been widely used as a spice and traditional herbal medicine for centuries and hasshown beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, its effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention forchronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unproven. The bioactive compounds within cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamicacid, and cinnamate, can mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, gut dysbiosis, and dyslipidemia, which are commoncomplications in patients with CKD. In this narrative review, we assess the mechanisms by which cinnamon may alleviate complicationsobserved in CKD and the possible role of this spice as an additional nutritional strategy for this patient group.

Associations between diet quality, demographics, health conditions and spice and herb intake of adults with chronic kidney disease

“…For example, the use of turmeric was positively associated with participants who had heart disease while ginger intake was positively associated with participants who had cancer. Even though human clinical trials are limited with different spices, those that have focused on certain pungent spices such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, black pepper have shown improvements in health conditions [ 19 , 21 , 23 , 30 – 32 ]. As demonstrated in reviews, turmeric leads to reduction in inflammation, blood pressure, oxidative stress and others due to its active compound curcumin [ 33 , 35 ].…”

“…Spices and herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in various cultures [19,20]. Studies have shown that inflammation can be reduced, which improves renal and cardiac functions, if the individual consumes spices and herbs such as clove, garlic, ginger, turmeric, rosemary, and pepper due to the active components that are able to inhibit inflammatory pathways [19][20][21][22][23]. Currently, the amount and frequency of spice and herb intake among the CKD population is not known, nor if their dietary intake as quantified by diet quality has an association with spice and herb consumption.…”

Using the concept of food as medicine to mitigate inflammation in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

“…This effect is also facilitated by stimulating liver kinase B1‐mediated AMPK phosphorylation. Moreover, the cinnamon extract has been associated with inhibiting α‐glucosidase and pancreatic α‐amylase activities, which ameliorate postprandial glycemic levels [63].…”

“…To date, no studies in patients with CKD elucidated the beneficial effects of cinnamon. However, a recent literature review explored the promising effects of cinnamon on various conditions found in patients with CKD [63]. Thus, common pathways support the salutogenic effects of cinnamon in CKD, including mitigation of inflammation through inactivation of the p38 MAPK pathway, along with stimulation of the Nrf2 pathway, promoting a decrease in kidney damage with consequent preservation of its function [63].…”

Gut Microbiota Interventions to Retain Residual Kidney Function

“…Cinnamon compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, trans-cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid and cinnamyl acetate also may improve the gut barrier integrity and modulate the gut microbiota, promoting the growth of salutogenic bacteria [ 121 ]. Beetroot is known to alter the oral bacteria species, transforming NO 3− to NO 2− increasing nitric oxide (NO) synthesis.…”