The anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon is well-established. Researchers, in a study published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, confirmed that the spice also has antiproliferative and anti-angiogenic properties against cancer cells, specifically, myeloma tumor cells.
The researchers treated RPMI 8226 human myeloma cancer cells with 72 micrograms per milliliter (mcg/mL) of cinnamon bark powder extract (CBPE).
After 24 hours of treatment, the CBPE caused about 50 percent inhibition of cell growth in the cancer cell line compared to untreated controls.
The treatment also suppressed the expression of angiogenic factors and cyclooxygenase at both mRNA and at protein levels in a time-dependent manner. CBPE also caused cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, again, in a time-dependent manner.
Treatment with CBPE caused the fragmentation of cancer cell DNA which led to apoptosis. The fragmentation increased with time, with the most fragmentation having occurred 72 hours after treatment.
The researchers concluded that cinnamon has anti-cancer effects caused by its ability to inhibit angiogenesis, relieve inflammation, and induce apoptosis. They believe that cinnamon can be a source of herbal treatments for cancer.
Learn about natural ways to fight cancer at AntiCancer.news.
Journal Reference:
Khan R, Sharma M, Kumar L, Husain SA, Sharma A. CINNAMON EXTRACT EXHIBITS POTENT ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY BY MODULATING ANGIOGENESIS AND CYCLOOXYGENASE IN MYELOMA CELLS. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2016;6(3):149–156. DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2016.04.001