The genus Cinnamomum

Chinese Cassia 179
curing diseases related to free radical reactions (Yokozawa et al., 1998). The decoction of
cassia bark is inhibitory to fungi in vitro. The essential oil is bactericidal, which is more
potent against Gram positive than against Gram negative bacteria.
Side effects, toxicity
Dizziness, blurred vision, increase of intraocular pressure, cough, obliguina, thirst and
rapid pulse occurred in patients taking 36 g of powdered bark once. The iv LD 50 of
the decoction was found to be 18.48 1.80 g/kg. The iv LD 50 values of cinnamic
aldehyde were 132, 610 and 2225 mg/kg in mice by iv, ip and oral administrations,
respectively. Cinnamic aldehyde at low dosage caused inhibition of the activity of animals
and at high dosage caused strong spasms, molar disturbances, shortness of breath
and finally death from respiratory paralysis (Wang, 1983).
Ramulus Cinnamomi – Gui zhi
In Chinese Materia Medica the crude drug Gui zhi is comprised of the dried twig
of C. cassia. The drug is collected in spring-summer and dried for use. The dried twig
contains 1–2% essential oil, the main ingredients of which are cinnamaldehyde and
cinnamic acid.
Gui zhi in itself is a weak diaphoretic agent, but with its peripheral vasodilation
effect, it can potentiate the diaphoretic effect of Ma Huang (Herba Ephedra). The decoction
of the herb can reduce body temperature in mice and artifical fever in rabbits.
Cinnamaldehyde also exhibits a mild analgesic activity against acetic acid-induced
writhing reaction in mice.
In nephritis, the aqueous extract of Gui zhi showed an inhibitory effect on the complement
activity in the heterophile antibody reaction (Wang, 1983). This extract also
prevented the increase of protein levels in the urine of rats with nephritis when orally
administered. But it had no effect on the recovery of anemia induced by an acute blood
loss and on the total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts. Immunosuppressive properties
have been ascribed to this extract (Wang, 1983).
Recently Kim et al. (2000a,b) have shown that a 80% methanolic extract of Ramulus
cinnamomi exhibited inhibitory effects on HMG-Co A reductase and DDPH-free radical
scavenging effect in vitro. The extract was also shown to have hypolipaemic effects in
rats with hyperlipidaemia induced by Triton WR 1339. The extract has significantly
suppressed the elevated serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in corn-oil
induced hyperlipidaemic rats. The chloroform fraction also exhibited remarkable
inhibitory effects on HMG-Co A reductase activity.
Uses
Dried cassia bark is the source of an important spice. Immature fruits are the source of
Cassia buds. The essential oil called cassia cinnamon oil (oleum cinnamon) obtained by
steam distillation from leaves and twigs is used as a flavouring agent. The bark collected
from old trees is a well-known medicine for diarrhoea. The drug is pungent and is
a special tonic for the lumbar region. It is prescribed for cold hands and feet, for bellyache
and dysuria but it is not a medicine for pregnant woman (Chi, 1961). The bark
collected from the fresh branchlets after drying in the sun is pungent, warming, with