Full-length transcriptome sequencing reveals the molecular mechanism of monoterpene and sesquiterpene biosynthesis in Cinnamomum burmannii

Essential oil of Cinnamomum burmannii is rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes and is widely used in cosmetics and medicines. Knowledge about the enzymes that catalyze the formation of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in C. burmannii is insufficient. Therefore, anatomy observation of C. burmannii at the four developmental stages (7 days, CBS1; 14 days, CBS2; 21 days, CBS3, and 28 days, CBS4) were conducted to elucidate the origins of essential oil production. Twelve full-length transcriptomes of C. burmannii leaves at the four stages were generated using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. GC-MS analysis revealed 15 monoterpene and sesquiterpenes dramatically increased from CBS1 to CBS4. A weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) in association and differentially expressed genes across four developmental stages were performed. A total of 44 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in terpenoid syntheses during leaf development. Among them, the DEGs of the mevalonate acid (MVA) pathway were predominantly expressed at CBS1, while those of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway showed increased expression from CBS2 to CBS4. Besides, fourteen genes were associated with monoterpene synthesis and nine with sesquiterpene synthesis. Functions of these DEGs were further predicted with regard to gene expression profile and phylogenetic relationship with those characterized in previous studies. In addition, 922 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were detected, of which twelve were predicted to regulate monoterpene and sesquiterpene biosynthesis. The present study provided new insights the molecular mechanisms of monoterpenoid and sesquiterpenoid syntheses of C. burmannii.

The Potential of Cinnamon Extract (Cinnamomum burmanii) as Anti-insomnia Medication through Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis Improvement in Rats

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the efficacy of cinnamon extract as an anti-insomnia medication in experimental animals by evaluating the levels of hormones and neurotransmitters related to insomnia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Induction of insomnia in animal models was done by administration of p-chloro-phenylalanine (PCPA) compounds. Estazolam was administrated to the positive control group. Cinnamon extract administration was divided into 3 doses, namely: 25 mg/kg BW, 50 mg/kg BW and 100 mg/kg BW. Evaluation of the organ coefficient was conducted to evaluate drug toxicity to the organs. The enzyme-linked-immunoassay method assessed hormones and neurotransmitters in the serum and hypothalamus related to insomnia.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in the adrenal coefficient in the cinnamon extract group compared to the PCPA group (0.011+0.001, P<0.05). In addition, there was a decrease in the corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropin hormone, and corticosterone levels in the serum of animals who received cinnamon extract. Our study found a dose of cinnamon extract of 50 mg/kg BW was the best dose to balance neurotransmitter levels in insomniac rats.

CONCLUSION

The cinnamon extract increased serotonin and melatonin levels and decreased norepinephrine levels in the insomnia-induced group. Cinnamon extract has potential as an anti-insomnia medication through hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenal axis improvement and brain neurotransmitter regulation in an animal model of insomnia.

Insulin sensitizer in prediabetes: a clinical study with DLBS3233, a combined bioactive fraction of Cinnamomum burmanii and Lagerstroemia speciosa

Background

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DLBS3233, a novel bioactive fraction derived from Cinnamomum burmanii and Lagerstroemia speciosa, in improving insulin resistance and preserving β-cell performance in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Patients and methods

Eighty adult subjects with IGT, defined as 2-hour postprandial glucose level of 140–199 mg/dL, were enrolled in this two-arm, 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled preliminary study. Eligible subjects were randomly allocated to receive either DLBS3233 at a dose of 50–100 mg daily or placebo for 12 weeks. The study mainly assessed the improvement of homeostatic model-assessed insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the 15-minute and 2-hour plasma insulin levels, and the oral disposition index.

Results

After 12 weeks, DLBS3233 improved insulin resistance better than placebo as reflected by a reduced HOMA-IR (−27.04%±29.41% vs −4.90%±41.27%, P=0.013). The improvement of the first- and second-phase insulin secretion was consistently greater in DLBS3233 group than placebo group (−144.78±194.06 vs −71.21±157.19, P=0.022, and −455.03±487.56 vs −269.49±467.77, P=0.033, respectively). Further, DLBS3233 also significantly better improved oral disposition index than placebo. No serious hypoglycemia, edema, or cardiovascular-related adverse events were found in either groups.

Conclusion

This study has shown that DLBS3233 at the dose of 50–100 mg once daily was well tolerated, and promisingly efficacious in improving insulin sensitivity as well as preserving β-cell performance in subjects with IGT.