Cinnamomum camphora is an important economic tree species in China. According to the type and content of main components in the volatile oil of leaf, C. camphora were divided into five chemotypes, including borneol-type, camphor-type, linalool-type, cineole-type, and nerolidol-type. Terpene synthase(TPS) is the key enzyme for the formation of these compounds. Although several key enzyme genes have been identified, the biosynthetic pathway of(+)-borneol, which has the most economic value, has not been reported. In this study, nine terpenoid synthase genes CcTPS1-CcTPS9 were cloned through transcriptome analysis of four chemical-type leaves. After the recombinant protein was induced by Escherichia coli, geranyl pyrophosphate(GPP) and farnesyl pyrophosphate(FPP) were used as substrates for enzymatic reaction, respectively. Both CcTPS1 and CcTPS9 could catalyze GPP to produce bornyl pyrophosphate, which could be hydrolyzed by phosphohydrolase to obtain(+)-borneol, and the product of(+)-borneol accounted for 0.4% and 89.3%, respectively. Both CcTPS3 and CcTPS6 could catalyze GPP to generate a single product linalool, and CcTPS6 could also react with FPP to generate nerolidol. CcTPS8 reacted with GPP to produce 1,8-cineol(30.71%). Nine terpene synthases produced 9 monoterpene and 6 sesquiterpenes. The study has identified the key enzyme genes responsible for borneol biosynthesis in C. camphora for the first time, laying a foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of chemical type formation and cultivating new varieties of borneol with high yield by using bioengineering technology.
Cinnamomum camphora/enzymology* ; Alkyl and Aryl Transferases/chemistry*

The chemical constituents of Cinnamomi Ramulus were investigated in this study. Twenty-two compounds were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatographies and preparative HPLC and their structures were identified by various spectral analyses as dihydrorosavin(1), rosavin(2), 1-phenyl-propane-1,2,3-triol(3), patchoulol(4), graphostromane B(5),(+)-lyoniresinol-3 a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6),(-)-lyoniresinol-3 a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(7), cinnacaside(8), subaveniumin A(9), 3-phenyl-2-propenyl-6-O-L-arabinopyranosyl-β-glucopyranoside(10), 2-phenylethyl-β-vicianoside(11), cinnacasol(12), [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-(benzyloxy)-3,4,5-trihydroxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl] methyl hydrogen sulfate(13), coniferyl aldehyde(14),(2R,3R)-5,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan-3-ol(15), cinnacassin L(16), E-cinnamic alcohol(17),(E)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ol(18), 2-hydroxyphenylpropanol(19), cinnamomulactone(20),(+)-syringaresinol(21) and cinnamomumolide(22), respectively. Among them, 1 is a new compound and 3-7, 9-11, 13, 15, 18 and 19 were isolated from the plant for the first time.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cinnamomum/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Phytochemicals/analysis*

To establish the spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprint and free radicals activity scavenging in Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction( GSZD),and provide a basis for the quality evaluation and modernization of classical prescriptions. Shimadsu GL-science C18 column( 4. 6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was used with acetonitrile-0. 1% formic acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The detective wave length was 254 nm; the column temperature was set at 32 ℃; the injection volume was 20 μL; and the flow rate was 1. 0 m L·min-1.10 batches of primary standard samples of GSZD were detected,and their HPLC fingerprint was established by using the similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM). The activity of scavenging free radicals was studied by 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine( DPPH) method,and the spectrum-effect relationship was studied by Pearson bivariate correlation analysis. The common mode of GSZD fingerprints was established,and 26 common peaks were marked,with similarities ranging from 0. 929 to 0. 998. Eight of the chromatographic peaks were identified by using the control comparison method: gallic acid,mangiferin,paeoniflorin,glycyrrhizin,asparagus,5-O-methylvisamicin,cinnamic acid,and ammonium glycyrrhetate. Among them,the content changes of No. 14( paeoniside),20,12( mangiferin),13 and 23( cinnamic acid) common peaks were negatively correlated with free radical scavenging activity. The fingerprint showed high precision,repeatability and stability,and the common peaks were well separated,so it can be used for the quality evaluation of GSZD,and could provide reference for further studies on the material basis of GSZD.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cinnamomum aromaticum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

To study the mechanism and action of Cinnamomi Ramulus in ameliorating intrahepatic cholestasis induced by α-isothiocyanate( ANIT) in rats by regulating FXR pathway. Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,positive control( ursodeoxycholic acid) group( 60 mg·kg~(-1)),Cinnamomi Ramulus treatment( 60 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) group,and Cinnamomi Ramulus treatment( 20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) group,with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group,the other groups were intragastrically administered with the corresponding concentrations of continuous aqueous solution( 0. 005 m L·g~(-1)),once a day,for 7 days.Except for the normal group,the other groups were treated with ANIT( 100 mg·kg~(-1)),once a day,for 3 days. Blood was taken from the abdominal aorta 24 hours after the last administration,and serum alanine aminotransferase( ALT),aspartate aminotransferase( AST),total bilirubin( TBi L),and total bile acid( TBA) were measured. 1. 5-2 cm of rat liver tissue was taken. After fixation with10% formaldehyde,paraffin-embedded sections were taken,HE staining was performed,and immunohistochemistry( IHC) was used to analyze the expression of FXR. RNA and protein were extracted from rat liver tissue to detect FXR mRNA expression,as well as bile acid synthesis and detoxification,transport related SHP,UGT2 B4,BSEP protein expressions at downstream of FXR. Compared with the normal group,serum ALT,AST,TBi L,and TBA levels were elevated in the model group( P<0. 01),liver damage was severe,FXR protein's optical density decreased,FXR mRNA expression decreased,and SHP,UGT2 B4,BSEP protein expressions were decreased( P<0. 05,P<0. 01). Compared with the model group,the drug group could reduce serum ALT,AST,TB,TBA levels to different degrees( P<0. 05,P<0. 01),alleviate liver tissue damage,increase the optical density of FXR protein,and promote the expressions of FXR mRNA and FXR,SHP,BSEP and UGT2 B4 proteins( P<0. 05,P<0. 01). Cinnamomi Ramulus can alleviate ANIT-induced intrahepatic cholestasis,and reduce hepatocyte injury and serum ALT,AST,TBi L and TBA levels. The mechanism may be through FXR-SHP,FXR-UGT2 B4,FXR-BSEP signaling pathways. Therefore,in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholestasis,we can try to further explore in alleviating intrahepatic cholestasis with Cinnamomi Ramulus,so as to provide effective drugs for clinical treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bile Acids and Salts ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Cinnamomum ; chemistry ; Isothiocyanates ; Liver ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Guizhi Decoction is a resolving agent,which is a classic prescription for traditional Chinese medicine. It is effective in the treatment of sepsis in clinical practice. However,due to the complexity of the prescription,its anti-sepsis mechanism is difficult to be clarified. The " Cinnamomi Ramulus-Paeoniae Radix Alba" drug pair,as the classic compatibility for medicinal and medicinal herbs,is the core of Guizhi Decoction. In this study,Cinnamomi Ramulus-Paeoniae Radix Alba drug pair was used as the research object and the molecular mechanism of its treatment of sepsis was investigated by analyzing the chemical compositions with integrative pharmacology platform( TCMIP,http://www.tcmip.cn/),predicting disease target,analyzing gene function and pathway of " Cinnamomi Ramulus-Paeoniae Radix Alba" in treatment of sepsis,and establishing a multi-dimensional network relationship of " Chinese medicine-chemical components-core targets-key pathways". The prediction results of " Cinnamomi Ramulus-Paeoniae Radix Alba" drug pair showed that its anti-sepsis effect was associated with 45 active components,and the active components played an anti-sepsis role through multiple targets and pathways,involving inflammatory targets such as PF4,MyD88,TLR4,BDKRB2,CD14,and NOS3. The sepsis was relieved mainly by regulating Toll like signaling pathway,Fox O signaling pathway,chemokines signaling pathway,thyroid and insulin endocrine signaling pathways and biological processes. This study provides a scientific basis for further development of Cinnamomi Ramulus-Paeoniae Radix Alba drug pair and Guizhi Decoction against sepsis.
Cinnamomum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sepsis ; drug therapy

Objective: To explore the effects of Kudzu Root plus Cinnamon Granules (KR+C) on prostatic hyperplasia (PH) in mice. METHODS: Sixty 4-week-old Kunming male mice were randomly divided into six groups: blank control, PH model, high-, medium- and low-dose KR+C, and finasteride control. All the mice except those in the blank control group were subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (5 mg / ［kg·d］) at 7 days after surgical castration. The animals of different groups were treated intragastrically with different doses of KR+C, finasteride, and normal saline respectively for 3 weeks and then sacrificed for weighing of the prostate, calculation of the prostatic index, observation of the morphological changes in the prostate after HE staining, determination of the expressions of FGF2, Ki67 and TGF-β1 by immunohistochemistry, detection of 5α-reductase activity by ELISA, and measurement of the apoptosis index of the prostatic cells by TUNEL. RESULTS: Compared with the model controls, the mice of the other groups showed significantly reduced prostatic volume (P <0.05), prostatic index (P <0.05), expressions of FGF2, Ki67 and TGF-β1, and activity of 5 α-reductase (P <0.05), but remarkably increased apoptosis index of the prostatic cells (P <0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the above parameters between the finasteride control and the three KR+C groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS KR+C can reduce the prostatic volume of PH mice by decreasing the activity of 5α- reductase, inhibiting the expressions of FGF2, Ki67 and TGF-β1, and promoting the apoptosis of prostatic cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase ; metabolism ; Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; chemistry ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Finasteride ; therapeutic use ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Organ Size ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Testosterone Propionate ; administration & dosage ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Urological Agents ; therapeutic use

Trans-cinnamaldehyde, the main component of volatile oil from cassia twig or Cinnamomum cassia, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Trans-cinnamaldehyde is a kind olefine aldehyde of organic compounds and has many pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, and neuroprotection etc. The compound has preventive and therapeutic effects on the nervous system, cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes and other diseases. Trans-cinnamaldehyde, as a preventive care of nature medicine, has great clinical and market potential. This paper gives a review about the pharmacological effects and mechanism of trans-cinnamaldehyde researched in the latest five years. We hope to provide some basic information for further research on trans-cinnamaldehyde.
Acrolein ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cinnamomum aromaticum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans

Various column chromatography, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC was used to isolate and purify the chemical constituents from Cinnamomum cassia. The structures were determined on the basis of NMR and MS spectral data analysis, together with the comparison with literature data. Fifteen compounds were isolated from the 85% aqueous ethanol extract of C. cassia, and their structures were identified as (2R, 3R)-5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavan-3-ol( 1), (2R, 3R)-5,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan-3-ol (2), coumarin (3), cinnamic acid (4), (E)-2-hydroxy-phenylpropionic acid cinnamoyl ester (5), 3, 3', 4, 4'-tetrahydroxy biphenyl (6), methylstictic acid (7), epi-boscialin (8), (1R,2S,3S,4S)-2,3-epoxy-1, 4-dihydroxy-5-methyl-5-cyelohexene (9), 4,5-dihydroxy-3-methyl cyclohex-2-enone (10), cis-4-hydroxymellein (11), and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxyl-cinnamaldehyde (12). Compounds 5-11 were obtained from this genus plants for the first time.
Cinnamomum aromaticum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure

BACKGROUNDAnalgesic and wound-healing effects of cinnamon, a widely used spice, have been shown in laboratory rats. However, we found no human studies in this area.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of cinnamon on perineal pain and healing of episiotomy incision.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONSIn this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 144 postpartum women were allocated into two groups, using stratified block randomization, 1 h after completion of episiotomy repair. They received cinnamon or placebo ointment, 2 mL every 12 h for 10 d.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESPerineal pain and wound healing were assessed using visual analogue scale (0-10) and Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation scale (0-15), respectively. General linear model was used to compare the groups on the outcomes adjusted for baseline values and stratified factors.

RESULTSFollow-up rate was 100% up to the 8 h time point in both groups, and 86% (62 of 72) in the cinnamon group and 85% (61 of 72) in the placebo group at day 10-11 after delivery. Pain score in the cinnamon group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group at (4±1) h (adjusted difference: -0.6, 95% confidence interval: -1.0 to -0.2) and (8±1) h (-0.9, -1.4 to -0.3) after intervention, and on the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.4, -2.0 to -0.7). Also the cinnamon group showed significantly more improvement than the control group in healing score at (8±1) h (-0.2, -0.4 to -0.04) and the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.6, -2.0 to -1.1).

CONCLUSIONCinnamon can be used for reducing perineal pain and improving healing of episiotomy incision.

Adult ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; chemistry ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Female ; Humans ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Pelvic Pain ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Perineum ; surgery ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo optimize the prescription dose of Mahuang decoction in a multi-target manner, in order to provide reference for the quantitative optimization of the prescription dose of the traditional Chinese medicine compound.

METHODThe number of diaphoretic spots in rats, the tracheal antispasmodic rate in guinea pigs and the writhing times by acetic acid in mice were taken as the indexes for evaluating the diaphoretic, antispasmodic and analgesic effects. According to the experimental results of the 16 orthogonal combination prescriptions, a mathematical dose-effect model was built by support vector regression (SVR) and quadratic response surface regression (RSR) respectively. The multi-target optimization was achieved by elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and entropy weight TOPSIS method.

RESULTThe optimal dose of Mahuang decoction after being optimized by SVR modeling contained 17.71 g of Ephedrae Herba, 9.57 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus, 11.75 g of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and 4.39 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle. The optimized result by RSR modeling contained 13.37 g of Ephedrae Herba, 11.61 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus, 11.98 g of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and 5.67 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparate Cum Melle. SVR was superior to RSR in both of the forecast capacity and optimization results.

CONCLUSIONSVR-NSGA-II-TOPSIS method could be adopted for the multi-target optimization for the dose of Mahuang decoction and other traditional Chinese medicine compounds. It is proved to be the optimal prescription with the best efficacy, and could provide scientific quantitative basis for determining the dose of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions and developing new traditional Chinese medicines.

Animals ; Cinnamomum ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Dosage Calculations ; Drug Prescriptions ; Ephedra ; chemistry ; Ephedra sinica ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Guinea Pigs ; Mice ; Rats