Search Results (418)

Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a potential substitute for antibiotic growth promoters in animal breeding. In this study, we investigated its effects as a dietary supplement on growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, intestinal morphology, and caecal microbiota in meat rabbits. Weaned meat rabbits (n = 450) were randomly assigned to five groups, Groups A, B, C, D, and E, and fed 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg CA diets, respectively, for 47 days. Biological samples including serum (antioxidants), duodenal/caecal content (enzymes), intestinal tissue (morphology), and caecal digesta (microbiota) were collected at day 47 postweaning for analysis. Groups C and D showed significantly higher final body weights than Group A, with Group D (150 mg/kg CA) demonstrating superior growth performance including 11.73% longer duodenal villi (p < 0.05), 28.6% higher microbial diversity (p < 0.01), and 62% lower diarrhoea rate versus controls. Digestive enzyme activity as well as serum antioxidant capacity increased with increasing CA dose, Microbiota analysis revealed CA increased fibre-fermenting Oscillospiraceae (+38%, p < 0.01) while reducing Ruminococcaceae (−27%, p < 0.05). Thus, dietary CA supplementation at 150 mg/kg was identified as the optimal CA dose for improving meat rabbit production. These findings highlight CA as a functional feed additive for promoting sustainable rabbit production. Full article

Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized via a green chemistry strategy using wheat extract and subsequently functionalized with a carboxymethyl chitosan–cinnamaldehyde (CMC=CIN) conjugate through covalent imine bonding. The resulting nanohybrid (AgNP–CMC=CIN) was extensively characterized to confirm successful biofunctionalization: UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed characteristic cinnamaldehyde absorption peaks; ATR-FTIR spectra confirmed polymer–terpene bonding; and TEM analysis evidenced uniform nanoparticle morphology. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements indicated an increase in hydrodynamic size upon coating (from 59.46 ± 12.63 nm to 110.17 ± 4.74 nm), while maintaining low polydispersity (PDI: 0.29 to 0.27) and stable surface charge (zeta potential ~ −30 mV), suggesting colloidal stability and homogeneous polymer encapsulation. Antifungal activity was evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus brasiliensis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against F. oxysporum was significantly reduced to 83 μg/mL with AgNP–CMC=CIN, compared to 708 μg/mL for uncoated AgNPs, and was comparable to the reference fungicide tebuconazole (52 μg/mL). Seed priming with AgNP–CMC=CIN led to improved germination (85%) and markedly reduced fungal colonization, while maintaining a favorable phytotoxicity profile. These findings highlight the potential of polysaccharide-terpene-functionalized biogenic AgNPs as a sustainable alternative to conventional fungicides, supporting their application in precision agriculture and integrated crop protection strategies. Full article

Background/Objective: In the pursuit of identifying novel therapeutic agents against breast cancer, a major priority is finding agents that effectively and safely inhibit the signaling pathways sustaining cancer cells. To better focus research efforts in validating such candidates, this in silico study assessed the pharmacokinetic profiles, thermodynamics, and binding affinity of chlorogenic acid and cinnamaldehyde with the upstream mediators of the Akt pathway implicated in breast cancer cells. Methods: Various software and online tools were used to conduct molecular docking of the small molecules with the proteins PI3K, Akt, and PDK1, and to examine their absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity (ADMET) profile. Results: The results show strong binding energy (all within the range of those of FDA-approved drugs) and thermostability between the compounds and the proteins. The phytochemicals were predicted to have moderate oral bioavailability and tissue distribution, and were identified as substrates of drug metabolizing enzymes, but not deactivated. Conclusion: Although these predictive data warrant confirmation in a biological system, they suggest that the compounds have good pharmacokinetics and are strong inhibitors of the Akt pathway, with great potential to shut down breast cancer cell invasion and migration. These data also inform more efficient experimental designs for our planned in vivo studies. Full article

Phytochemicals are a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. This study evaluated the effects of phytochemicals (curcuminoids, trans-cinnamaldehyde, and piperine) and monensin on performance and ruminal fermentation during the transition period in grazing dairy cows. In a complete randomized design, 60 Holstein cows (36 multiparous, 24 primiparous; 9 fistulated) were assigned to (1) control (CTL), (2) monensin (MON, 0.30 g/cow/day), or (3) phytochemicals (PHY, 50 g/cow/day) treatment from 30 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum. Prepartum, cows received a total mixed ration (TMR); postpartum, they grazed between a.m. and p.m. milking and were supplemented with TMR. Ruminal fermentation was evaluated at −7, 30, and 60 days postpartum. Prepartum dry matter intake was lower in MON primiparous cows than in CTL and PHY. Additives increased milk yield and lactose percentage in primiparous cows. PHY cows had lower acetate, higher propionate, and reduced acetate-to-propionate and ketogenic-to-glucogenic ratios at 60 days postpartum. MON reduced prepartum protozoa, while PHY increased prepartum branched-chain volatile fatty acids (BCVFAs). Both additives decreased BCVFA and protozoa postpartum. Additives reduced ammonia at 30 days, but only PHY persisted at 60 days. MON and PHY improved primiparous performance, enhanced ruminal fermentation, and promoted glucogenic fermentation while reducing ammonia and protozoa. Full article

The present study evaluated the larvicidal and pupicidal activities of pure and mixed monoterpene formulations—eucalyptol, geranial, trans-anethole, and trans-cinnamaldehyde—against Aedes aegypti and compared them with 1% (w/w) temephos. Safety bioassays of all formulations on non-target species confirmed their safety. The combined mixture of eucalyptol + trans-anethole at 400 µg/mL exhibited stronger larvicidal activity, with an LC₅₀ of 176 µg/mL, while the combination of trans-anethole + geranial at 400 µg/mL exhibited stronger pupicidal activity with an LC₅₀ of 167 µg/mL. Both formulations were more effective than a 1% temephos. All the mixture formulations were more strongly synergistic compared to pure formulations, with an increased mortality value (IMV) of 25% to 95%. External morphological aberrations observed at death included swelling of the respiratory system. Importantly, all the formulations were safe for two non-target species: guppies (Poecilia reticulata) and honeybees (Apis mellifera). The combination formulations are strong larvicides and pupicides for controlling Ae. Aegypti, which will help reduce the spread of viruses carried by this vector. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of different doses of limonene essential oil (LEO) and a blend of cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol (BCC) on the fermentative quality and chemical–bromatological composition of total mixed ration (TMR) silages. Two independent trials were conducted, each focused on one additive, using a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of dry matter), replicated across two seasons (summer and autumn), with five replicates per treatment per season. The silages were assessed for their chemical composition, fermentation profile, aerobic stability (AS), and storage losses. In the LEO trial, the dry matter (DM) content increased significantly by 0.047% for each mg/kg added. Dry matter recovery (DMR) peaked at 97.9% at 473 mg/kg (p < 0.01), while lactic acid (LA) production reached 5.87% DM at 456 mg/kg. Ethanol concentrations decreased to 0.13% DM at 392 mg/kg (p = 0.04). The highest AS value (114 h) was observed at 203.7 mg/kg, but AS declined slightly at the highest LEO dose (600 mg/kg). No significant effects were observed for the pH, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), or non-fiber carbohydrates (NFCs). In the BCC trial, DMR reached 98.2% at 548 mg/kg (p < 0.001), and effluent losses decreased by approximately 20 kg/ton DM. LA production peaked at 6.41% DM at 412 mg/kg (p < 0.001), and AS reached 131 h at 359 mg/kg. BCC increased NDF (from 23.27% to 27.73%) and ADF (from 35.13% to 41.20%) linearly, while NFCs and the total digestible nutrients (TDN) decreased by 0.0007% and 0.039% per mg of BCC, respectively. In conclusion, both additives improved the fermentation efficiency by increasing LA and reducing losses. LEO was more effective for DM retention and ethanol reduction, while BCC improved DMR and AS, with distinct effects on fiber and energy fractions. Full article

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables. The high level of production in the world is often offset by numerous losses that occur during production in the field or in the post-production stages. Preservation in its fresh form is a challenge, particularly due to pest attacks on stored food. A promising natural and inexpensive solution to protect against pests is the use of chitosan (CH), which can be associated with essential oils (EOs) with repellent effects. In previous studies, some protective effects have been demonstrated using chitosan films coated with EOs. In this study, we tested CH-EOs associations on tomato fruits to evaluate their efficacy against attacks by the pest Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval, 1833), taking into account parameters such as age and body mass of the larvae and the effect over time (10 days) of the treatments. Our study highlights the potential of the combination of CH and cinnamon EO as an environmentally friendly solution to protect tomatoes from S. littoralis attack. Here we found a repellent effect of cinnamon EO combined with CH on S. littoralis larvae, with no effect on larval attractiveness or repellence for CH alone and the four other EOs tested. The main compound in cinnamon EO, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, had no overall repellent effect on larvae, but had specific effects when larval age, body mass, and post-treatment time were taken into account. Full article

Salmonella colonization in the gastrointestinal tract of turkeys presents a risk to the safety of products derived from them. Lactobacillus-based probiotics and a plant-derived compound, trans-cinnamaldehyde, have previously been found to be effective in reducing multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Heidelberg (S. Heidelberg) in turkey poults. However, the effect of the challenge and the application of the treatments on the cecal metabolome has yet to be elucidated. Thus, the objective of the present study was to characterize alterations in the metabolic profiles of cecal contents collected from poults following S. Heidelberg challenge and treatment with Lactobacillus salivarius UMNPBX2 and L. ingluviei UMNPBX19 (LB), trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), or a combination of both (CO) using untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Poults in the challenged control (PC) group had the most distinct and convergent metabolome profiles, with the most pronounced disparity observed compared to the unchallenged control (NC), indicating the effect of the S. Heidelberg challenge. Perturbations in metabolites in the primary bile acid biosynthesis, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, and steroid biosynthesis were the most prominent. The greater abundance of metabolites, such as primary bile acids and sugars, in the PC group may be associated with S. Heidelberg colonization or potential shifts in microbiota. The treatments yielded varying effects on the metabolome profiles, with the TC and CO groups exhibiting the closest similarity, although TC was more similar to NC. The findings revealed alterations to ceca-associated metabolites, which are likely a response to the S. Heidelberg challenge and the application of the TC and LB treatments. Additional studies are needed to validate the possible causal relationship between the observed shifts. Gaining insight into the alterations to the metabolic microenvironment in the avian cecum will help elucidate the mechanisms by which they facilitate Salmonella persistence. Understanding these relationships can aid in designing more effective pre-harvest Salmonella control strategies and enhancing the efficacy of interventions within the flock. Full article

The essential oil derived from the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum L., Lauraceae, has gained significant attention because of its numerous biological benefits. This study aimed to perform a phytochemical analysis of commercially available Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark essential oil and to evaluate its antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antitumor properties. GC–MS analysis was employed to determine the phytochemical composition. The major component of the total essential oil composition was (E)-cinnamaldehyde, constituting 77.93%, followed by eugenol (4.34%), E-caryophyllene (3.68%), and linalool (2.79%). The antioxidant activity was confirmed by DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and TAC assays. In the broth microdilution assay, cinnamon essential oil demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity, with MIC values ranging from 7.37 to 29.50 µg/mL. Furthermore, cinnamon essential oil demonstrated selective antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest in human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) while sparing non-cancerous cells (MRC-5). In HCT116 cells, cinnamon essential oil induced apoptosis, downregulated Cyclin D and p-AKT, and caused G1-phase arrest. Additionally, cinnamon essential oil modulated immune responses by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production in activated splenocytes and enhancing pro-inflammatory activity in naïve cells. These findings highlight the great potential of the cinnamon bark essential oil in the development of new therapeutic agents. Full article

Root lesion nematodes (RLNs) are major plant parasites causing significant global yield losses in a wide range of crops. Current management strategies largely depend on synthetic nematicides, which raise environmental and human health concerns due to their broad-spectrum toxicity and persistence in the ecosystem. Volatile allelochemicals offer a promising, environmentally safer alternative due to their biodegradability and lower toxicity to mammals. In this study, we assessed the nematicidal activity of five allelochemical volatiles—dimethyl sulphide (DMS), dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), trans-2-decenal (T2D), and trans-2-undecenal (T2U)—against Pratylenchus penetrans, using direct-contact bioassays, in comparison with the conventional nematicide oxamyl. Additionally, we assessed their environmental behaviour and toxicity profiles through in silico modelling. At 1 mg/mL, TCA, T2D, and T2U exhibited strong activity against P. penetrans, outperforming oxamyl by up to 1.6-fold, while DMS and DMDS showed reduced activity. The environmental risk assessment revealed that these compounds have a lower predicted persistence and bioaccumulation compared with oxamyl or fluopyram, a new generation nematicide. Though these findings boost the potential of these compounds as sustainable alternatives for RLN management, field validation and testing with non-target organisms remain necessary for the development of biopesticides. Nevertheless, this study emphasizes the need for an integrated risk-based assessment in the selection of nematicidal agents, warranting efficacy as well as environmental safety. Full article

Overexploitation has led to a rise in pathogenic bacteria within aquaculture, increasing reliance on antibiotics, and developing microorganism resistance. This situation underscores the need to explore alternatives with a reduced ecological impact. Metabolites derived from essential oils have demonstrated antimicrobial properties that can inhibit or diminish the activity of various microorganisms. In this study, the antimicrobial efficacy of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oils against pathogenic bacteria (Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Shewanella, Comamonas, Vibrio, Acinetobacter, and Empedobacter) isolated from tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) brooded in Hidalgo State, Mexico, were investigated. Diffusion tests were conducted using discs infused with 12 different antibiotics and discs infused with essential oils at concentrations of 15, 10, and 5 μL each. Minimal inhibitory concentration tests were performed using a 96-well microplate format. All bacterial strains exhibited multi-resistance to various antibiotics; however, thyme and cinnamon effectively inhibited the tested bacteria at the lowest concentrations, while tea tree oil was the least effective. The findings suggest the potential incorporation of thyme and cinnamon as an alternative prevention to decrease the use of antibiotic treatment. Full article

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a destructive pest of Solanaceae crops worldwide. Its olfactory system plays an important role in locating mating partners and recognizing host plants. Understanding its olfactory recognition mechanism, particularly the function of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), may reveal potential targets for pest management. In this study, we characterized two antenna-specific OBPs, TabsOBP45 and TabsOBP46, which were identified from the T. absoluta genome. Sequence analysis revealed that both TabsOBPs belong to the classic OBP subfamily, which is characterized by the presence of six conserved cysteine residues and an N-terminal signal peptide. Both TabsOBPs showed predominant antennal expression in quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays, suggesting their key roles in olfactory perception. Fluorescence competitive binding assays with a total of 63 tested volatiles revealed that 13 compounds exhibited strong binding affinities (Ki < 22 µM) to TabsOBP45, with the highest binding affinity to β-ionone, β-caryophyllene, terpinolene, and cinnamaldehyde. Nine compounds showed strong binding affinities to TabsOBP46, with the strongest binding to 4-anisaldehyde, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, and β-ionone. Molecular docking analysis revealed the key residues involved in β-ionone binding: TabsOBP45 interacted with ILE8, ALA9, PHE12, TRP37, ILE92, PHE94, THR115, and PHE118, while TabsOBP46 interacted with ILE8, PHE12, PHE36, TRP37, ILE92, LEU94, PHE118, and VAL134. These results provide new insights into the olfactory mechanism of T. absoluta and potential molecular targets for the development of olfactory-based pest control strategies. Full article

Benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol are the most used raw materials in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries as preservative ingredients. Cinnamon cassia oil is an important natural starting material to synthesize organic compounds because it contains a high amount of cinnamaldehyde and benzaldehyde. Thanks to green chemistry techniques using mild solvents such as water and ethanol, as well as low-cost and safe reagents such as potassium permanganate, and sodium borohydride, this natural starting material was used to synthesize high yields of benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, phenylpropanol, and cinnamic acid; these products are used in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Various reaction conditions were applied to find convenient green chemistry procedures. Equivalents (molar) of catalysts to starting materials were optimized. The highest yields (60–90%) were achieved using water as a solvent, potassium permanganate as an oxidation catalyst, and sodium borohydride as a reduction catalyst. Water was used as a solvent in all reactions except phenylpropanol. The uses of a single natural starting material, water as a solvent, and mild reagents to synthesize five important organic compounds are all in line with green chemistry techniques. Full article

Natural antioxidants isolated from fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices have drawn great attention owing to their numerous health-promoting effects. Cinnamaldehyde (CA), an abundant antioxidant in cinnamon spice, has been explored more intensely over the last decade as it has been demonstrated to be effective and safe in the treatment of various diseases. Structurally, a substituted aldehyde group with an unsaturated carbon–carbon double bond with two electrophilic sites for reaction with receptors and enzymes can exert diverse biological effects. Although cinnamon has been traditionally used as a spice and herbal remedy, many studies investigating the most dominant functional compound, CA, and its biological activities have been reported in recent years. This review article intends to present an overview of recent advances in analytical methods and the application of cinnamon extract/oil, CA and its derivatives, CA-polymer/biomolecule conjugates and CA micro/nanosystems in alleviating various chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the improved pharmacological efficiency of CA and its derivatives as well as their polymer/drug/biomolecule conjugates and micro/nanoencapsulated forms, suggesting a possible alternative natural therapy and adjuvant therapy with conventional drugs via a synergistic process. Full article

In light of the increasing demand for laurel, driven by renewed interest in natural products and traditional medicinal usage of this plant, our study aimed to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils from leaves and fruits of laurel (EOL and EOF, respectively) collected in the National Park Skadar Lake, Montenegro, as it related to their chemical composition, assessing the possibility of their usage in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Also, fatty oil from the remaining laurel fruit after EOF isolation was investigated as a possible source of bioactive compounds. The most abundant components in EOL and EOF were 1,8-cineol (35.1% and 33.3%, respectively) and α-terpinyl acetate (10.4% and 7.0%, respectively). Linalool (7.6%) was found in EOL, while α- pinene (5.8%) and β-elemene (5.7%) were present in significant amounts in EOF. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of EOL and EOF showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus subtilis, and potent antifungal effects against Candida albicans, opening the door for their application as antimicrobial agents. Chemical analysis of fatty oil unexpectedly revealed prominent content of sesquiterpene lactone dehydrocostunolide and phenylpropanoid derivative (E)-2-hexyl-cinnamaldehyde (21% and 5%, respectively), suggesting further investigations of this waste material as the source of valuable compounds with proven health benefits. Full article