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Published on: December 3, 2021
Influence of cinnamaldehyde on viral myocarditis in mice
YuanYuan Ding1, Lin Qiu, GangTao Zhao
1Institute of Materia Medica, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Introduction:
This study was designed to examine the effects of cinnamaldehyde on coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis (VMC) and underlying signaling, with a focus on the toll-like receptor (TLR)4-nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway.
Methods And Results:
The antiviral and myocardial effects of cinnamaldehyde and its metabolite cinnamic acid were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that cinnamic acid but not cinnamaldehyde reduced the viral titer in CVB3-infected myocardial cells. Our in vivo study demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of either cinnamaldehyde or cinnamic acid significantly enhanced the survival rate and reduced myocardial viral titer in VMC mice compared with CVB3-infected controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in effectiveness between the cinnamic acid and the cinnamaldehyde groups (P > 0.05). Cinnamaldehyde reduced plasma nitric oxide (NO) content, NF-kappaB, inducible nitric oxide synthase and TLR4 expression and decreased inflammatory cell infiltrate in myocardium from VMC mice 7 days after viral inoculation (P < 0.05). However, these effects were not observed with cinnamic acid treatment. Statistical significance was present between cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde in their effects on plasma NO content, NF-kappaB, inducible nitric oxide synthase and TLR4 expression (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that although cinnamaldehyde has antiviral effects on VMC through its metabolite, cinnamic acid, it directly reduces the inflammation in VMC by inhibiting the TLR4-NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway.
Insights
Cinnamaldehyde and its metabolite cinnamic acid show antiviral effects against viral myocarditis (VMC). Cinnamaldehyde directly reduces VMC inflammation by inhibiting the toll-like receptor 4-nuclear factor-kappaB pathway.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Viral myocarditis (VMC) is a serious cardiac condition.
- The toll-like receptor (TLR)4-nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway is implicated in VMC pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde on CVB3-induced VMC.
- To elucidate the underlying signaling mechanisms, focusing on the TLR4-NF-kappaB pathway.
Main Methods:
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid.
- Assessment of viral titers, survival rates, and inflammatory markers in VMC mouse models.
Main Results:
- Both cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid improved survival and reduced viral titers in VMC mice.
- Cinnamaldehyde, but not cinnamic acid, reduced plasma nitric oxide, NF-kappaB, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and TLR4 expression.
- Cinnamaldehyde decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardium.
Conclusions:
- Cinnamaldehyde exhibits direct anti-inflammatory effects on VMC by inhibiting the TLR4-NF-kappaB pathway.
- While cinnamic acid contributes to antiviral effects, cinnamaldehyde offers additional direct immunomodulatory benefits.
