Micrococcus luteus,Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus faecalis, and others).^17 A meth-
anol extract exhibited significantin vitronem-
aticidal activity against Toxocara canis.^18
Extracts of the bark have also shown signifi-
cant insulin-like activityin vitro(increased
glucose oxidation and uptake,19,20and insulin
receptor kinase activation and inhibition of
insulin receptor dephosphorylation activi-
ty);21,22insulin activity potentiating activities
are attributed to a methylhydroxychalcone
polymer^23 and polyphenol type A polymers
isolated from korintje cinnamon from Suma-
tra (C. burmannii) consisting of oligomeric
procyanidins.^20
Rats fed a high-fat diet containing 10%
C. verum bark powder showed significant
decreases in heart and liver levels of hydro-
peroxides and significantly increased levels of
antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione,
glutathioneS-transferase, and superoxide dis-
mutase) in the same organs.^24 Anti-inflamma-
tory and pain-inhibiting activities were found
in mice orally administered an ethanolic ex-
tract of the bark.^25
Extracts of the dried stem bark ofC. cassia
have shownin vitrogrowth inhibition of hu-
man intestinal bacteria (Bacteriodes fragilis
andClostridium perfringens), an effect attrib-
uted to cinnamaldehyde.^26 Extracts of the bark
have also shownin vitroinsulin-like activi-
ty,^19 protective activity against glutamate-
induced toxicity to rat cerebellar granule
cells,^27 antioxidant,28,29free radical scaveng-
ing activity, and inhibition of HMG-CoA re-
ductase,30,31cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible
nitric oxide synthase.^32 An aqueous extract^33
and diterpenes from the bark (cinnacassiol B
and D 1 ) have shown anticomplement
activity.12,13In vitro stimulation of human
lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin-1, and
immunoglobulin G production by an infusion
of the bark was attributed to glycoproteins.^34
Cinnamaldehydes (2^0 -benzoxycinnamalde-
hyde and 2^0 -hydroxycinnamaldehyde) derived
from the bark inhibitedin vitroproliferation
of lymphocytes and inducedin vitroT-cell
differentiation.^3520 -Hydroxycinnamaldehyde
(HCA) inhibited the in vitro growth of
29 different human cancer cell lines.^36 Cinna-
maldehyde induced apoptotic cell death in
human leukemia cellsin vitro.^37 A methanol
extract of the bark inhibited thein vitrogrowth
of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2
cells.^38 Glycosides (cassioside, cinnamoside,
and ab-D-glucopyranoside) isolated from an
aqueous extract of the dried stem bark are
attributed to antiulcerogenic activity.^11
In mice with influenza-induced fever, an
aqueous extract of the dried stem bark (p.o.)
showed antipyretic activity and suppressed
the production of interleukin-1a. Solvent
fractions were also active. Active constituents
were identified as acetic acid cinnamylester,
cinnamic acid ethylester, 7-hydroxycoumarin,
and 4-allylanisole, which were active by the
oral route.^39
A randomized placebo-controlled clinical
study of powderedC. cassiabark in type 2
diabetics taking sulfonylurea drugs and main-
taining their usual diets found that daily
supplementation with the bark immediately
after each of three daily meals produced
significant decreases in triglyceride, LDL, and
total serum cholesterol levels and serum
glucose levels.^40TOXICOLOGYNo significant chronic (90 days) or acute
(500 mg, 1 g, or 3 g/kg p.o.) mortality was
found in mice administered an ethanol extract
ofC. verumbark. No change in body weight
was found from chronic dosing; liver weight
and hemoglobin levels were reduced, and
reproductive organ weights, sperm counts,
and sperm motility were increased without
spermatotoxic effects.^41 Allergic skin reac-
tions toC. verumare common (WICHTL).
Cinnamaldehyde can cause dermatitis in
humans and allergic reactions have occurred
from contact with products (foods, tooth-
pastes, ointments, mouthwashes) containing
either cinnamaldehyde or cinnamon oil
(DE SMET ET AL.). Cinnamon may cause allergic
reactions in some people who are allergic to
balsam of Peru.^42 Cassia oil causes mucous198 Cinnamon (and cassia)