Cinnamon extract induces tumor cell death through inhibition of NFkappaB and AP1
Authors: Ho-Keun Kwon
Sung Haeng Lee
Jae-Ha Ryu
Sin-Hyeog Im
Anupama Sahoo
Ji-Sun Hwang
Jae-Seon So
Won Kyung Jeon
Zee Yong Park
Choong-Gu Lee
Byoung Seob Ko
Journal: BMC Cancer (2010)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Cinnamomum cassia bark; anti-tumor activity; pro-apoptotic activity; NFkappaB; AP1

Abstract:  Background: Cinnamomum cassia bark is the outer skin of an evergreen tall tree belonging to the family Lauraceae containing several active components such as essential oils (cinnamic aldehyde and cinnamyl aldehyde), tannin, mucus and carbohydrate. They have various biological functions including anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammation, anti-diabetic and anti-tumor activity. Previously, we have reported that anti-cancer effect of cinnamon extracts is associated with modulation of angiogenesis and effector function of CD8+ T cells. In this study, we further identified that anti-tumor effect of cinnamon extracts is also link with enhanced pro-apoptotic activity by inhibiting the activities NFkappaB and AP1 in mouse melanoma model. Methods: Water soluble cinnamon extract was obtained and quality of cinnamon extract was evaluated by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis. In this study, we tested anti-tumor activity and elucidated action mechanism of cinnamon extract using various types of tumor cell lines including lymphoma, melanoma, cervix cancer and colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo mouse melanoma model. Results: Cinnamon extract strongly inhibited tumor cell proliferation in vitro and induced active cell death of tumor cells by up-regulating pro-apoptotic molecules while inhibiting NFkappaB and AP1 activity and their target genes such as Bcl-2, BcL-xL and survivin. Oral administration of cinnamon extract in melanoma transplantation model significantly inhibited tumor growth with the same mechanism of action observed in vitro. Conclusion: Our study suggests that anti-tumor effect of cinnamon extracts is directly linked with enhanced pro-apoptotic activity and inhibition of NFkappaB and AP1 activities and their target genes in vitro and in vivo mouse melanoma model. Hence, further elucidation of active components of cinnamon extract could lead to development of potent anti-tumor agent or complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of diverse cancers. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 two image duplications ![file] Disclaimer: These potential image duplications have been detected automatically using ImageTwin http: dx.doi.org 10.1145 3019612.3019875 Although results have been curated, the automatic algorithm may have generated false positive results and cannot take into account all scientific explanations for apparent duplications like stripped and reprobed blots, time series, serial sections and reused controls. , 
 Note, The correction is unrelated to #1. Correction to: BMC Cancer https: doi.org 10.1186 1471-2407-10-392 Following publication of the original article [1], the authors have re-evaluated the authorship for this article. The updated author group is: Ho-Keun Kwon1 , Ji-Sun Hwang1 , Jae-Seon So1 , Choong-Gu Lee1 , Anupama Sahoo1 , Jae-Ha Ryu1 , Won Kyung Jeon2 , Byoung Seob Ko2 , Sung Haeng Lee3 , Zee Yong Park1 , Sin-Hyeog Im1 ,