Protective effects of cinnamon bark extract against ischemia–reperfusion injury and arrhythmias in rat

Abstract

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) is a plant with potent antioxidant activity and has been used in traditional medicine for improvement of heart function. The effects of cinnamon bark ethanolic extract were investigated against ischemia-induced arrhythmias and heart injury in an in vivo rat model of regional heart ischemia. The extract was also standardized, and its antioxidant activity was evaluated. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min of ischemia by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 5 days of reperfusion. Thirty-two animals were randomized to receive daily oral administration of vehicle or C. zeylanicum bark extract (intragastric, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) 14 days before ischemia. C. zeylanicum was standardized through HPLC analysis. Administration of cinnamon bark extract significantly improved ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial injury as evidenced by reduction of the infarct size. Also, during the ischemic period, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular ectopic beats episodes decreased as compared with that of the control group. The extract stabilized the ST segment changes and QTc shortening, decreased R-wave amplitude, and increased heart rate during ischemia. The extract also caused significant elevations in serum superoxide dismutase and glutation proxidase activities as well as a significant decrease in serum cardiac troponin I, lactate dehydrogenase, and malondialdehyde levels, 5 days after reperfusion. In HPLC analysis, the amounts of Cinamic acid, Methyl eugenol, and Cinnamaldehyde were 8.99 ± 0.5, 13.02 ± 1.8, and 14.63 ± 1.1 mg/g, respectively. The results show that the ethanolic extract of cinnamon bark is able to protect the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury probably due to its antioxidant properties. Hence, it might be beneficial in these patients and this remedy might be used for preparation of new drugs.

Tranilast Treatment Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury in Rats Through the Inhibition of Inflammatory Responses Mediated by NF‐κB and PPARs

“…Thus, it is a common occurrence following cerebral infarction, stroke, myocardial infarction, organ transplantation, and trauma . Clinical treatment of IRI includes therapeutic hypothermia, hydrogen sulfide treatment, cyclosporine, cannabinoids, superoxide dismutase, metformin, and stem cell therapy . IRI is still a life‐threatening risk to the patients because it causes inflammatory cytokine storm, arrhythmias, and infarction.…”

“…3 Clinical treatment of IRI includes therapeutic hypothermia, hydrogen sulfide treatment, cyclosporine, cannabinoids, superoxide dismutase, metformin, and stem cell therapy. 4 IRI is still a life-threatening risk to the patients because it causes inflammatory cytokine storm, arrhythmias, and infarction. However, the exact pathophysiological and biological mechanisms of IRI remain incompletely understood.…”

A Review on the Most Important Medicinal Plants Effective in Cardiac Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

“…This is related to the ability of polyphenols to prevent LDL cholesterol oxidation. For example, Olea europaea, Cinamomum Spp and Artemisia dracunculus cause a decrease in cholesterol levels and lipid peroxidation as well as an increase in antioxidant enzymes [56,69,70].…”

Anti‐fungal bandages containing cinnamon extract

“…Historically, cinnamon has been long used as a traditional medicine in the treatment of many conditions, such as bronchitis, rheumatism, and neuralgia . Furthermore, many modern scientific articles report on the ability of cinnamon to be antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐fungal, anti‐HIV, improve heart function, pro‐wound healing, and anti‐cancer . It has been reported that cinnamaldehyde holds remarkable anti‐microbial activity …”

“…4 Furthermore, many modern scientific articles report on the ability of cinnamon to be antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anti-HIV, improve heart function, pro-wound healing, and anti-cancer. [5][6][7][8][9][10] It has been reported that cinnamaldehyde holds remarkable anti-microbial activity. [11][12][13][14] Candida albicans is found in abundance in the human gut flora of around 50% of all healthy adults and is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast.…”