A polyphenolic cinnamon fraction exhibits anti-inflammatory properties in a monocyte/macrophage model

PLoS One. 2021 Jan 13;16(1):e0244805. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244805. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Periodontal diseases are bacteria-induced inflammatory disorders that lead to the destruction of the tooth-supporting tissues. Active compounds endowed with a capacity to regulate the inflammatory response are regarded as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the anti-inflammatory properties of a polyphenolic cinnamon fraction. Chromatographic and mass spectrometry analyses of the polyphenolic composition of the cinnamon fraction revealed that phenolic acids, flavonoids (flavonols, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols), and procyanidins make up 9.22%, 0.72%, and 10.63% of the cinnamon fraction, respectively. We used a macrophage model stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from either Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans or Escherichia coli to show that the cinnamon fraction dose-dependently reduced IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α secretion. Evidence was brought that this inhibition of cytokine secretion may result from the ability of the fraction to prevent LPS-induced NF-κB activation. We also showed that the cinnamon fraction reduces LPS binding to monocytes, which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties. Lastly, using a competitor assay, it was found that the cinnamon fraction may represent a natural PPAR-γ ligand. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the cinnamon fraction was shown to exhibit a therapeutic potential for the treatment of periodontal diseases due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / metabolism
  • Anthocyanins / analysis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / analysis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Cinnamomum / chemistry*
  • Cinnamomum / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Plant Bark / chemistry
  • Plant Bark / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Polyphenols / analysis*
  • Polyphenols / chemistry
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology
  • Proanthocyanidins / analysis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Flavonoids
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Grants and funding

The present study was supported by the Laboratoire de Contrôle Microbiologique de l’Université Laval (# 2019-03-12).