The genus Cinnamomum

Pharmacology and Toxicology of Cinnamon and Cassia 279
significant because these factors are decisive in cardiac disorders. The results of studies
on the antiulcerogenic effects have also yielded valuable information. Cinnamon
inhibits gastric secretions and potentiates mucosal flow. The hypoglycemic, antihyperlipedemic
and antiulcerogenic effects are exerted at low doses. These beneficial
effects could be obtained even at low concentrations through daily food intake.
Another important activity is the immunomodulatory effects exerted by cinnamon.
Immunomodulation (immunostimulants and suppressants) plays an important role in
human health. An interesting factor regarding cinnamon is that it can act both as
immunostimulant and suppressant. Macromolecules isolated from cinnamon, such as
glycoproteins and water soluble polysaccharides, were found to stimulate the immunological
system, whereas smaller molecules such as cincassiol – C 1, C 2, C 3, C 4 and their
glycosides suppress the system. The antiallergenic potential of this plant is a complementary
reaction to the immunosuppressant action. Anticancer studies also yielded
encouraging results. The modulative effect of cinnamon on certain enzymes such as
Farnesyl-prolein-transferase shows that fruitful results may be obtained by further
research in this area. Cytotoxicity effects were also obtained with certain molecules
isolated from cinnamon.
The antimicrobial study unambiguously proved the high beneficial effect of
cinnamon. It exerts selective action against many human pathogenic bacteria but
spares some beneficial ones. The bactericidal and bactereostatic effects are the aspects
which have been studied very widely. Cinnamon completely inhibits the growth
of five foodborne pathogenic bacteria at low doses. Further studies may result in
developing cinnamon as a selective antibacterial agent specific for human pathogenic
organisms. Cinnamon is bactericidal not only to foodborne infective organisms but to
other pathogenic microbes also. Similarly, it is a broad spectrum antifungal substance.
Both cinnamon bark and oil inhibit growth of many storage fungi on cereals and
pulses. In the area of insecticidal activity it has also yielded beneficial effects and is
nontoxic to humans. This wide spectrum of beneficial effects makes cinnamon a
wonder plant with a very high potential for future development. However, further
research is required to establish and validate the beneficial activities documented in
the traditional systems of medicines.
References
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Akina, T., Tanaka, S. and Tabata, M. (1986) Pharmacological studies on antiulcerogenic activity
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