Abstract
Free radicals and other reactive oxygen species have been reported to be implicated in the pathology of several human diseases. Therefore, the supplementation of anti-oxidizing agents is needed to prevent the synthesis, and encounter of the action of these reactive oxygen species inside the human body. Several in vivo as well as in vitro studies have confirmed the therapeutic potential of plants and their products in the management of many health disorders. Cinnamon is one of the most commonly used spices worldwide and is a valuable source of various active antioxidant compounds. The available epidemiological studies have demonstrated the effects of cinnamon consumption on the reduction of risk for development of various diseases. Many valuable properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-microbial, cardio protective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective and lipid lowering activity of cinnamon have been well recognised that might contribute to its various therapeutic potential. Both In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated antidiabetic activities of cinnamon, and further indicated that cinnamon may act as an insulin mimetic, to potentiate insulin activity or to stimulate cellular glucose metabolism. Moreover, cinnamon and its active compounds have been reported to possess anti-tumour activity because of several mechanisms including modulating various cell signaling pathways, induction of apoptosis, downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression, inhibition of angiogenesis and cell cycle arrest. The aim of this review article was to give an overview of the cinnamon and its active compounds role in the health management.