Norcadinane sesquiterpene from the roots of Cinnamomum subavenium

Terpenoids and Their Biological Activities from Cinnamomum: A Review

Cinnamomum is a genus of the family Lauraceae, which has been recognized worldwide as an important genus due to its beneficial uses. A great deal of research on its phytochemistry and pharmacological effects has been conducted. It is noteworthy that terpenoids are the characteristic of Cinnamomum due to the peculiar structures and significant biological effects. For a more in-depth study and the better use of Cinnamomum plants in the future, the chemical structures and biological effects of terpenoids obtained from Cinnamomum were summarized in the present study. To date, a total of 181 terpenoids with various skeletons have been isolated from Cinnamomum. These compounds have been demonstrated to play an important role in immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. However, studies on the bioactive components from Cinnamomum plants have only focused on a dozen species. Hence, further studies on the potential pharmacological effects need to be conducted in the future.

Neolignans with a Rare 2-Oxaspiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-one Motif from the Stem Bark of Cinnamomum subavenium

Two pairs of racemic spirodienone neolignans with a rare 2-oxaspiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-one motif, named (±)-subaveniumins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the bark of Cinnamomum subavenium. The chiral separation of the (+)-1, (-)-1, (+)-2, and (-)-2 enantiomers was accomplished via high-performance liquid chromatography on a chiral column. Their structures were elucidated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, HRESIMS, and 1D and 2D NMR). The absolute configurations of the enantiomers were determined by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroic spectra. The (+)-1, (-)-1, (+)-2, and (-)-2 enantiomers exhibited moderate inhibitory effects against NO production in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide, with IC50 values of 17.9, 5.6, 15.1, and 4.3 μM, respectively.

Review on pharmacological activities of Cinnamomum subavenium

This review describes the morphological, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Cinnamomum subavenium (Lauraceae). The plant grows wild in southern Mainland China, Burma, Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia. This plant is recorded as having long been used to treat carcinomatous swelling, stomach ache, chest pain, abdominal pain, hernia, diarrhoea, rheumatism, nausea and vomiting. This article enumerates an overview of phytochemical and pharmacological aspects that is useful to researchers for further exploration for the necessary development of this potential herb.