Phytochemical Characterization of Essential Oils from Plants of the Genus Cinnamomum and their Effect on Diarrhea and Disruption of the Intestinal Epithelium Induced by 5-FU

Abstract

Aims: This article aims to evaluate the phytochemical characteristics and biological activity of Cinnamomum cassia Blume and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume essential oils, specifically their effects on weight loss, diarrhea, and epithelial damage in a murine model of 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis. Study Design: The study consisted of a controlled experimental design using a murine model to evaluate the therapeutic potential of essential oils in intestinal mucositis induced by chemotherapy with 5-FU. Study Location: This research was conducted at the Medicinal Plant Research Center (NPPM), Federal University of Piauí, State of Brazil. Methodology: The study included albino (swiss) mus muscullus mice weighing 30-40 g, divided into different groups (n = 7 per group) to analyze the effects of essential oils administered orally. Essential oils were extracted from the bark of Cinnamomum species and characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Mucositis was induced using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and the effects of essential oils on animals were assessed by measuring animal body mass, diarrhea score, and assessing epithelial damage using lactate dehydrogenase release. Results: The analysis showed that both oils contained predominantly cinnamaldehyde, with significant variation in phytochemical diversity. Treatment with essential oils attenuated weight loss and severity of 5-FU-induced diarrhea. Specifically, the highest dose (50 mg/kg/day) of both essential oils significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase levels, indicating reduced epithelial damage. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post-test, with results showing significant differences (p < 0.05) in treatment effects compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study contributes to the theory that the observed beneficial effects of Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils can be attributed to their distinct phytochemical compositions. While Cinnamomum zeylanicum oil exhibits greater phytochemical diversity, Cinnamomum cassia oil is characterized by a higher proportion of cinnamaldehyde, constituting approximately 80% of its composition. The more pronounced effects observed with Cinnamomum cassia oil may suggest a potential synergistic dynamic where high cinnamaldehyde content plays a critical role, highlighting the importance of specific concentrations of compounds to achieve therapeutic efficacy.