Cinnamomum cassia, apoptosis, STAT3 inactivation and reactive oxygen species in cancer studies

Abstract

Abstract trans-Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is the main bioactive component of cinnamon extract obtained from the stem bark of Cinnamomum cassia Blume. CA shows diverse biological activities in diabetes, neuropathy, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer in particular. To develop CA as a promising anticancer agent for clinical application, numerous research groups have investigated the effects of natural and synthetic derivatives of CA in cancer. CA and its derivatives increase the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of cancer cells, which trigger apoptotic cell death through activation of the mitochondrial and ER pathways. In addition to ROS generation, CA and its derivatives induce oxidative stress by inhibiting antioxidant enzymes and thereby disrupting redox homeostasis. Recently, multiple binding targets of CA and HCA involved in the regulation of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis have been identified. In this review, we focus on the mode of action of CA and its derivative in cancer cells and their effect on ROS generation and oxidative stress.