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Cinnamomum cassia is a natural product found in plants that has been used as a folk remedy for inflammation. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of C. cassia extract (ECC) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine RAW 264.7 cells, in comparison with 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde, a C. cassia extract component. ECC and 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde inhibited the production of nitrite oxide in a dose-dependent manner and did not show any change in cellular toxicity when treated with the same dose as that used in the nitrite assay. Moreover, they attenuated ROS accumulation after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. ECC and 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory mediators (iNOS and COX-2) and cytokines such as TNF and IL-6. We also found that ECC and 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde mitigated the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and transcription factors, such as NF-κB and STAT3, suppressing NF-κB nuclear translocation in LPS-activated macrophages. In addition, administration of ECC in a Sprague Dawley rat model of acute gastric injury caused by indomethacin significantly increased the gastric mucus volume. Analysis of serum and tissue levels of inflammatory mediators revealed a significant decrease in serum PGE2 and myeloperoxidase levels and a reduction in gastric iNOS, COX-2, and p65 protein levels. Collectively, these results suggest that ECC has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and is a potential candidate for curing gastritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastritis is a common disease worldwide that is caused by various causes such as eating habits, smoking, severe stress, and heavy drinking, as well as Helicobacter pylori infections and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cinnamomum cassia is a tropical aromatic evergreen tree commonly used as a natural medicine in Asia and as a functional food ingredient. Studies have reported this species' anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and cardiovascular disease suppression effects. We evaluated the potential effects of C. cassia using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ethanol (EtOH), and ethanol/hydrochloric acid (HCl)-induced gastric mucosal injury models. C. cassia extracts reduced the area of gastric mucosa injury caused by indomethacin, NSAID, EtOH, and EtOH/HCl. We also applied a network pharmacology-based approach to identify the active compounds, potential targets, and pharmacological mechanisms of C. cassia against gastritis. Through a network pharmacology analysis, 10 key components were predicted as anti-gastritis effect-related compounds of C. cassia among 51 expected active compounds. The NF-κB signaling pathway, a widely known inflammatory response mechanism, comprised a major signaling pathway within the network pharmacology analysis. These results suggest that the anti-gastritis activities of C. cassia may be induced via the anti-inflammatory effects of key components, which suppress the inflammation-related genes and signaling pathways identified in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of gastritis in South Korea is rapidly increasing owing to the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and fast eating habit. The usual treatment for acute gastritis following a long intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or alcohol is to stop the causal factors. Metronidazole and lansoprazole are recommended for the treatment of H. pylori infection gastritis. Omeprazole a proton pump inhibitor, is used to decrease gastric acid production. However, owing to the side effects and refractoriness of the drug, a safe and efficient treatment is required. Plant-derived phytochemicals have emerged as novel agents against chronic disorders. In this study, firstly, to explore the potential of pharmacological activities, including efficacy and mechanisms of Cinnamomum cassia against gastritis, a literature review was performed based on 20 studies out of a total of 749 records obtained using a search strategy. From the literature review, the therapeutic targets of C. cassia extract and cinnamaldehyde, a compound of C. cassia, were found to be related with NFκB activity, and their signaling pathway were verified by experiments. C. cassia extract plays a role in protection of gastric ulcers induced in four ways (immersion stress-induced, ethanol-induced, hydrochloric acid-induced, or NSAIDs-induced ulcer). None of the clinical studies on C. cassia extracts or compounds met our criteria. When the standardized extract of C. cassia (ECC) was orally administered repeatedly to Beagle Dog for 4 weeks, no toxicologically harmful changes were observed. Therefore, under the test condition, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of ECC was judged to be 1000 mg/kg/day for both sexes, and no toxic target organ was observed. Administration of ECC in the Sprague–Dawley rat model of acute gastric injury caused by indomethacin administration significantly increased gastric mucus volume. Administration of ECC in the acute gastric injury model caused by indomethacin administration is considered effective in improving gastric injury. However, research and efforts to develop a reliable 'standardization of natural drugs' by establishing the best quality evaluation system are limited. Despite the pharmacological potential of ECC, further well-designed experimental studies such as in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials are required to validate these findings and the underlying mechanisms of ECC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]