Abstract

Cinnamomum zeylanicum, a commonly used spice and well-known medicinal plant has been reported to have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. We have investigated its anti-inflammatory activity using ethanol extract obtained from bark. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed targeting TNF-α using flow cytometry. Ethanol extract of C. zeylanicum showed suppression of intracellular release of TNF-α in murine neutrophils as well as leukocytes in pleural fluid. The extract was found to inhibit TNF-α gene expression in LPS-stimulated human PBMCs at 20 µg/ml concentration. A potent anti-inflammatory activity of Cinnamon extract is suggestive of its anti-arthritic activity, which could be confirmed in various models of arthritis.

Key words: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, TNF-α, flow cytometry, anti-inflammatory, gene expression.