Cinnamon Might Slow Parkinson’s Research Suggests
The tools to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease might one day come from the kitchen cabinet instead of the medicine cabinet, according to a new study.
Michael Franco
Freelancer Michael Franco writes about the serious and silly sides of science and technology for CNET and other pixel and paper pubs. He’s kept his fingers on the keyboard while owning a B& B in Amish country, managing an eco-resort in the Caribbean, sweating in Singapore, and rehydrating in Prague. .
Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition that causes body tremors and mobility troubles, affects an estimated 7-10 million people worldwide. While there is much research being done to create drugs that combat the illness, researchers at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center might have found a much simpler way to combat it. Cinnamon.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinsons disease is caused by a decrease in the production of dopamine.
People with PD have low dopamine levels. Dopamine is a chemical produced in the brain that regulates smooth, controlled movements. The nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine have died or are damaged.
Experts do not know what exactly causes PD. However, there is emerging evidence that suggests that there are genetic, inflammatory, and environmental factors that can trigger PD.
Parkinsons disease symptoms can include:
- Tremors in the arms, hands, legs, and face
Cinnamon May Be Used To Halt The Progression Of Parkinson’s Disease
by Rush University Medical Center
Neurological scientists at Rush University Medical Center have found that using cinnamon, a common food spice and flavoring material, can reverse the biomechanical, cellular and anatomical changes that occur in the brains of mice with Parkinson’s disease . The results of the study were recently published in the June 20 issue of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology.
“Cinnamon has been used widely as a spice throughout the world for centuries,” said Kalipada Pahan, PhD, study lead researcher and the Floyd A. Davis professor of neurology at Rush. “This could potentially be one of the safest approaches to halt disease progression in Parkinson’s patients.”
“Cinnamon is metabolized in the liver to sodium benzoate, which is an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment for hepatic metabolic defects associated with hyperammonemia,” said Pahan. It is also widely used as a food preservative due to its microbiocidal effect.
Chinese cinnamon and original Ceylon cinnamon are two major types of cinnamon that are available in the US.
“Although both types of cinnamon are metabolized into sodium benzoate, by mass spectrometric analysis, we have seen that Ceylon cinnamon is much more pure than Chinese cinnamon as the latter contains coumarin, a hepatotoxic molecule,” said Pahan.
This research was supported by grants from National Institutes of Health.
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Essential Oils For Pd Symptoms
Essential oils are extracts pulled from plant material by steaming or pressing the plant. The oils pulled can be used as a complementary therapy to manage symptoms of several conditions, including PD.
There is a 2020 study that supports inflammation within the body as a trigger or a cause of worsening PD. Some essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties and may ease some PD symptoms.
Oral Nab Increases The Density Of Striatal Th Fibers In C57/bl6 And A53t
Since striatum is the main recipient of nigral fibers and loss of TH neurons in the SNpc leads to denervation of dopaminergic terminals in the striatum, we examined if oral NaB was capable of upregulating striatal TH fibers. Consistent to NaB-mediated increase in TH in cell bodies in the nigra , we observed higher level of TH fibers in the striatum of NaB-treated C57/BL6 mice as compared to untreated mice . Similarly, oral NaB treatment also increased the density of TH fibers in the striatum of A53T-Tg mice .
Fig. 7
Oral NaB upregulates the density of TH fibers in vivo in the striatum of C57/BL6 and A53T-Tg mice. Male C57/BL6 and A53T-Tg mice were treated with NaB mixed in 0.5% methylcellulose orally via gavage. Control mice received 0.5% methylcellulose as vehicle. After 30 d of treatment, striatal sections were immunostained for TH . Optical density of TH fibers was quantified in two striatal sections of each of five mice per group . Results are mean±SEM of five mice per group. *p< 0.05 versus control **p< 0.01 versus control by two-tailed paired t-tests.
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Stimulation Of Dopamine Production By Sodium Benzoate A Metabolite Of Cinnamon And A Food Additive
Article type: Research Article
Authors: Rangasamy, Suresh B.a b | Dasarathi, Sridevib | Nutakki, Aparnab | Mukherjee, Shreyab | Nellivalasa, Rohithb | Pahan, Kalipadaa b *
Affiliations: Division of Research and Development, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA | Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
Correspondence: Correspondence to: Kalipada Pahan, PhD, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 West Harrison St, Suite Cohn 310, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Tel.: +1 312 563 3592 Fax: +1 312 563 3571 E-mail: .
Keywords: A53T, CREB, dopamine, sodium benzoate, striatum, substantia nigra pars compacta, tyrosine hydroxylase
DOI: 10.3233/ADR-210001
Journal: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 295-310, 2021
Abstract
Cinnamon Also May Aid Against Parkinsons Disease
Cinnamon has been a sweet spot for Pahans research. He and his colleagues previously that cinnamon can reverse changes in the brains of mice with Parkinsons disease.
These studies have made the researchers spice connoisseurs: They used mass spectrometric analysis to identify the purer of the two major types of cinnamon widely available in the United States Chinese cinnamon and original Ceylon cinnamon.
Although both types of cinnamon are metabolized into sodium benzoate, we have seen that Ceylon cinnamon is much more pure than Chinese cinnamon, as the latter contains coumarin, a hepatotoxic molecule, Pahan said.
The study of cinnamon and learning ability was supported by grants from National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Alzheimers Association.
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How To Use Essential Oils
There are three ways that you can absorb essential oils, they are:
- Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy refers to inhaling the essential oil. This can be done through a diffuser that uses a few drops of oil diluted into water. The diffuser then creates a mist that is sent into the room. Avoid using hot water diffusers due to the increased risk of accidental burns.
- Topical absorption: This method is when you place a small amount of essential oil on the skin to be absorbed. Some options include essential oil rollers, massage oils, or lotions.
- Internal ingestion: The last option is a gelatin pill with a safe amount of essential oil. This should be discussed with your healthcare provider and pharmacist to ensure there is no interaction with other medications you are currently taking.
Nab Upregulates The Expression Of Th And Stimulates Da Synthesis In Mouse Mn9d Dopaminergic Neuronal Cells
Since there are no effective drugs/molecules to upregulate TH and increase the production of DA in dopaminergic neurons, we examined whether NaB, an FDA-approved drug for urea cycle disorders and glycine encephalopathy, could stimulate the expression of TH in MN9D dopaminergic neuronal cells. It is evident from RT-PCR and real-time PCR that 2h incubation with NaB at serum-free condition dose-dependently stimulated the mRNA expression of TH in MN9D cells with the highest increase in TH observed at 200M. However, fold induction of TH mRNA decreased at 300M NaB . Next, we examined if NaB could also upregulate the level of TH protein in MN9D neuronal cells. Similar to the increase in TH mRNA, NaB significantly increased the level of TH protein and again, the maximum increase was seen at 200M NaB . To confirm these results further, we also performed double-label immunofluorescence for TH and actin followed by analysis of mean fluorescence intensity . As evident from Fig. 1E and F, NaB treatment increased the level of TH without modulating the status of actin. These results were specific as we did not find any such increase in TH by sodium formate, a negative control of NaB . These results suggest that NaB upregulates the expression of both TH mRNA and protein in MN9D neuronal cells.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
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Cinnamon May Be Used To Halt The Progression Of Parkinsons Disease
Neurological scientists at Rush University Medical Center have found that using cinnamon, a common food spice and flavouring material, can reverse the biomechanical, cellular and anatomical changes that occur in the brains of mice with Parkinsons disease. The results of the study were recently published in the June 20 issue of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology.
Cinnamon has been used widely as a spice throughout the world for centuries, says Kalipada Pahan, study lead researcher and the Floyd A Davis professor of neurology at Rush. This could potentially be one of the safest approaches to halt disease progression in Parkinsons patients.
Cinnamon is metabolised in the liver to sodium benzoate, which is an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment for hepatic metabolic defects associated with hyperammonemia, says Pahan. It is also widely used as a food preservative due to its microbiocidal effect.
Chinese cinnamon and original Ceylon cinnamon are two major types of cinnamon that are available in the USA.
Although both types of cinnamon are metabolised into sodium benzoate, by mass spectrometric analysis, we have seen that Ceylon cinnamon is much more pure than Chinese cinnamon as the latter contains coumarin, a hepatotoxic molecule, says Pahan.
This research was supported by grants from National Institutes of Health.
Measurement Of Mean Fluorescence Intensity Of Th
MFI was measured using the measurement module of the microsuite V Olympus software. Briefly, images were opened in their green channel in order to monitor MFI of TH in the SNpc region. After that, measurement module was opened followed by the selection of two parameters including perimeter and MFI. Rectangular box tool was used to outline perimeter and then associated MFI in that given perimeter was automatically calculated.
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Oral Treatment Of Nab Upregulates The Level Of Da In The Striatum Of C57/bl6 And A53t
Next, to examine whether oral NaB is also capable of increasing neurotransmitters in the striatum, we quantified the levels of DA, DOPAC, and HVA in striata after 30 d of NaB treatment. Oral NaB significantly increased the level of DA and DOPAC , but not HVA , in striatum of C57/BL6 mice as compared to vehicle treatment. Similarly NaB treatment also augmented the level of DA and DOPAC , but not and HVA , in the striatum of A53T-Tg mice.
Fig. 8
Oral NaB increases the level of DA in vivo in the striatum of C57/BL6 and A53T-Tg mice. Male C57/BL6 and A53T-Tg mice were treated with NaB mixed in 0.5% methylcellulose orally via gavage. Control mice received 0.5% methylcellulose as vehicle. After 30 d of treatment, levels of DA , DOPAC , and HVA were measured in striatum by HPLC. Results are mean±SEM of five mice per group. **p< 0.01 and *p< 0.05 versus control by two-tailed paired t-tests. NS, not significant.
Cinnamon Could Fight Parkinsons
2014-07-13
Cinnamon could be a secret weapon in the battle against Parkinsons disease. Scientists have found that the spice is the source of a chemical that can protect the brain.
Our liver converts cinnamon into sodium benzoate, an approved drug used in the treatment for neural disorders.
In a study of mice at Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago, a team of researchers found that the chemical then enters the brain, stops the loss of proteins that help protect cells, protects neurons and improves motor functions.
Lead researcher Professor Kalipada Pahan told the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology: Cinnamon has been used widely as a spice throughout the world for centuries.
This could potentially be one of the safest approaches to halt disease progression in Parkinsons patients.
Professor Pahan said tests had shown that Ceylon cinnamon is better at halting Parkinsons as it is more pure.
He said the next step is testing cinnamon on patients with the disease.
The study found that after being eaten, ground cinnamon is converted into the chemical sodium benzoate, which then enters the brain, stops the loss of Parkin and DJ-1, protects neurons, normalises neurotransmitter levels, and improves motor functions in mice with Parkinsons disease.
Professor Pahan said: Understanding how the disease works is important to developing effective drugs that protect the brain and stop the progression of Parkinsons.
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New Benefits From An Old Spice: Cinnamon Shows Signs Of Slowing Parkinsons Disease
A new mouse study discovered that cinnamon can reverse brain changes associated with Parkinsons Disease . Published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, the study involved feeding ground cinnamon to mice with PD. Researchers found that cinnamon protected brain neurons, improved motor functions, and normalized neurotransmitter levels . However, the authors note that not all cinnamon is the same, with the effects associated with Ceylon cinnamon . Proving similar results in human clinic trials would offer significant alternative therapuetic options for the 1.2 million PD patients in the U.S. and Canada.
Can Cinnamon Be Used To Treat Parkinsons Disease Probably Not
A study published last month suggests that the potential value of cinnamon may go far beyond tickling our taste buds. The research group reports that cinnamon was able to substantially reverse and protect Parkinsons disease-like symptoms in mice. Could the next groundbreaking treatment for the worlds most common neurodegenerative disease really be moonlighting as the worlds most popular baking spice? Sadly, the answer is most likely not.
Cinnamaldehyde the chemical that gives cinnamon its famous flavor and odor is metabolized to sodium benzoate in the liver. Sodium benzoate can enter the brain and act as an anti-oxidant. At first glance, this seems very promising! Parkinsons disease occurs when dopamine neurons in the midbrain start to die. Scientists are not positive why the dopamine cells start dying, but a popular hypothesis is that these neurons experience high oxidative stress, which causes cells to release poisonous molecules that result in cell death. So using an anti-oxidant to reduce oxidative stress makes good sense as a potential therapy for treating Parkinsons disease.
In fact, it makes so much sense that scientists and doctors have already been trying it for decades unfortunately, largely to no avail. While several anti-oxidant drugs have proved tantalizingly efficacious at treating Parkinson disease-like symptoms in mice, clinical studies have found no strong evidence that they work to alleviate Parkinsons disease in humans.
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Cinnamon Could Stop Parkinsons In Its Tracks
An article appearing recently in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology indicates that cinnamon could one day be used by Parkinsons disease patients to prevent the disease from progressing.
Saurabh Khasnavis and Kalipada Pahan, PhD, of Rush University Medical Center studied the effects of the spice in a mouse model of Parkinsons disease. They found that when cinnamon is metabolized into sodium benzoate in the blood and brain, the loss of beneficial proteins known as Parkin and DJ-1 is halted, while neurons that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is reduced in Parkinsons, are protected. Motor function, which can be significantly impaired by the disease, was improved in animals that received cinnamon.
Cinnamon is metabolized in the liver to sodium benzoate, which is an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment for hepatic metabolic defects associated with hyperammonemia, explained lead researcher Dr Pahan, who is the Floyd A. Davis professor of neurology at Rush University. Understanding how the disease works is important to developing effective drugs that protect the brain and stop the progression of Parkinsons disease. It is known that some important proteins like Parkin and DJ-1 decrease in the brain of Parkinsons disease patients.
Cinnamon has been used widely as a spice throughout the world for centuries, he noted. This could potentially be one of the safest approaches to halt disease progression in Parkinsons patients.
Life Extension
The Popular Spice Can Slow Down The Progression Of Parkinson’s Disease And Reverse The Biomechanical Cellular And Anatomical Changes That Occur In The Brains A Study Shows
The popular spice cinnamon can slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease, a study shows. The discovery can herald a remarkable advance in the treatment of this devastating neurodegenerative disease.”Cinnamon has been used widely as a spice throughout the world for centuries. The spice can reverse the biomechanical, cellular and anatomical changes that occur in the brains of mice with Parkinson’s disease,” said Kalipada Pahan, a Floyd A Davis professor of neurology at Illinois-based Rush University.The study found that after oral feeding, ground cinnamon is metabolised in the liver into sodium benzoate.It then enters into the brain, stops the loss of important proteins Parkin and DJ-1, protects neurons, normalises neurotransmitter levels and improves motor functions in mice with PD.Understanding how the disease works is important to developing effective drugs that protect the brain and stop the progression of PD.”Now we need to translate this finding to the clinic and test ground cinnamon in patients with PD,” Pahan added.Cinnamon is also widely used as a food preservative due to its microbiocidal effect.The study was published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology.
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A Unique Combination To Fight Parkinsons Disease
Ginger and cinnamon for patients with Parkinsons disease is a unique mixture that may help stop the disease, according to one laboratory study. This study showed that consuming cinnamon helps reverse the anatomical and cellular changes in the brains of several laboratory rats with PD. This can provide cinnamon as a possible and safe alternative to reduce PD symptoms progression.
On the other hand, eating ginger helps relieve some of PD side effects. Eating ginger reduces the feeling of nausea caused by some of the medicines used to treat this disease.