The Active Ingredients and Therapeutic Effects of Cinnamon: A Review Article

Abstract

Cinnamon is used in knocking and medicine for many centuries and in different countries. Several researches about cinnamon have exhibited its curative potentials, which include: immunomodulatory, gastroprotective, antidiabetic, antilipemic, antihypertensive, antitumor, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial. Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol and Beta-caryophyllene are the major active ingredients in cinnamon. The mode of action for the therapeutic effects indicating the anti-diabetic and antihypertensive activities of cinnamon and its chemical components have not been deeply investigated. May systematic review articles have found that the taking the extracts or having cinnamon tea have potential antidiabetic effects. Researches about the action of cinnamon on hypertension still debated. However, a number of experimental trials have found significant antihypertensive effect for cinnamon. This review cast a brief light on the active ingredients and the activity of cinnamon in the reduction of high blood pressure and hyperglycemic status.