Cinnamon Extract Inhibits Tau Aggregation Associated with Alzheimer's Disease In Vitro

Abstract

An aqueous extract of Ceylon cinnamon (C. zeylanicum) is found to inhibit tau aggregation and filament formation, hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The extract can also promote complete disassembly of recombinant tau filaments and cause substantial alteration of the morphology of paired-helical filaments isolated from AD brain. Cinnamon extract (CE) was not deleterious to the normal cellular function of tau, namely the assembly of free tubulin into microtubules. An A-linked proanthocyanidin trimer molecule was purified from the extract and shown to contain a significant proportion of the inhibitory activity. Treatment with polyvinylpyrolidone effectively depleted all proanthocyanidins from the extract solution and removed the majority, but not all, of the inhibitory activity. The remainder inhibitory activity could be attributed to cinnamaldehyde. This work shows that compounds endogenous to cinnamon may be beneficial to AD themselves or may guide the discovery of other potential therapeutics if their mechanisms of action can be discerned.

Intraperitoneal Injection of cinnamon extract (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) on Passive Avoidance Learning in Rats with Streptozotocin-induced Alzheimers Disease

“…(Akkarachiyasit, 2010). Proanthocyanin derived from cinnamon extract prohibits integration of Tau proteins in Alzheimer's disease (Petersona , 2009). Effects of Proanthocyanin derived from cinnamon extract were reviewed in terms of its prohibition from an integration of Tau proteins in vitro by Petersona (2009).…”

“…Proanthocyanin derived from cinnamon extract prohibits integration of Tau proteins in Alzheimer's disease (Petersona , 2009). Effects of Proanthocyanin derived from cinnamon extract were reviewed in terms of its prohibition from an integration of Tau proteins in vitro by Petersona (2009). Tau proteins are separated by Anthocyanin compounds of cinnamon extract within a specif ied term, thus it is said that cinnamon extract can play a main role in hindering combination of beta-amyloidal plates which is considered a signif icant factor in Alzheimer's disease.…”

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition by medicinal plants: A Review

“…Cinnamon extract has been found to have an inhibitory effect on tau aggregation related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The extract can also promote complete disassembly of recombinant tau filaments and cause substantial alteration of the morphology of paired-helical filaments isolated from AD brain [37]. In a recent study, orally administered cinnamon extract has been found to reduce β-amyloid oligomerization and correct cognitive impairment in AD animal models [38].…”

In Search of Therapeutic Solutions for Alzheimer’s Disease

“…For instance, the interaction of prion protein with fulvic acid and its inhibitory effect on the content of -sheet structure and the formation of protein aggregates has been described in detail. Only a few polyphenolic molecules have emerged to prevent tau aggregation, and natural drugs targeting against tau have not been approved yet (Peterson et al, 2009;Cornejo et al, 2011). Fulvic acid, a humic substance, has several nutraceutical properties with potential activity to protect cognitive impairment.…”

“…Despite this, there are few phytocomplexes emerging in order to prevent tau aggregation. Only a cinnamon extract and a grape seed polyphenolic extract have been described for this purpose (Peterson et al, 2009). Fulvic acid is one of the most interesting phytocomplex molecules (Goshal et al, 1990).…”