Cinnamon extract suppresses tumor progression.

Kwon H, Jeon W, Hwang J, Lee C, So J, Park J, Ko B, Im S. 2009. Cinnamon extract suppresses tumor progression by modulating angiogenesis and the effector function of CD8+ T cells. Cancer Lett 278;174-82.

Cancers are one of the most challenging conditions faced in the alternative and allopathic fields of health. As more becomes known about herbal medicines, interest has grown regarding their potential use in the treatment and management of cancerous conditions. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) bark is widely used by traditional and modern herbalists for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic effects.

Recently in vitro studies have suggested that cinnamon it may have an antitumour action as well however no mechanism was elucidated.

This study was designed to investigate the mechanism behind the anticancer effects of Cinnamomum cassia. Researchers used a water extract of the herb standardised to contain specific levels of trans-cinnamic acid and cinnamic aldehyde.

The cinnamon treatment significantly reduced the levels of Cox-2 and HIF-1a in melanoma cell lines. Moreover in a mouse model of melanoma, oral administration of the extract (400 [micro]g/g) for 30 days was shown to down regulate tumour associated growth factors such as EGF, VEGF-a, TGF-b, Cox-2, HIF-1 and neovascularisation. Additionally there was an increase in the cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells.

The combined effects of these changes resulted in the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, and significantly reduced tumour progression in the active group compared with control mice (treated with phosphate buffered saline). Interestingly when the extract was administered to mice intratumorally at 10 mg/dose, this produced comparable results to the group given the extract orally. Oral administration resulted in a more potent anti-angiogenesis effect, but effector function of CD8+ T cells was more significantly increased by the intratumour injection.

These findings may warrant further investigation to determine why results are so similar. Overall the study may provide evidence to consider the use of cinnamon in the treatment of melanomas and other cancers.