Terpenoid constituents of cinnamon and clove essential oils cause toxic effects and behavior repellency response on granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius.

This study evaluated toxic effects, repellency and respiration rate caused by terpenoid constituents of cinnamon and clove essential oils and against Sitophilus granarius L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90), repellent effect, and behavior repellency response on adults of S. granarius after exposure to six concentrations of each essential oil and terpenoids were evaluated. The chemical composition of the cinnamon oil was also determined and primary compounds were eugenol (10.5%), trans-3-caren-2-ol (10.2%), benzyl benzoate (9.99%), caryophyllene (9.34%), eugenyl acetate (7.71%), α-phellandrene (7.41%), and α-pinene (7.14%). In clove essential oil, the primary compounds were eugenol (27.1%), caryophyllene (24.5%), caryophyllene oxide (18.3%), 2-propenoic acid (12.2%), α-humulene (10.8%), γ-cadinene (5.01%), and humulene oxide (4.84%). Cinnamon and clove essential oil was toxic to S. granarius. In toxic terpenoids compounds, eugenol has stronger contact toxicity in S. granarius than caryophyllene oxide, followed by α-pinene, α-humulene, and α-phellandrene. Insects reduced their respiratory rates after being exposed to essential oil terpenoids and avoided or reduced their mobility on terpenoid-treated surfaces. Cinnamon and clove essential oil, and their terpenoid constituents were toxic and repellent to adult S. granarius and, therefore, have the potential to prevent or retard the development of insecticide resistance.

Stoned on spices: a mini-review of three commonly abused household spices.

INTRODUCTION: Although spices are widely used as food products and are generally regarded as safe, intentional abuse of household spices may occur and is likely underreported in the medical literature. Spices are inexpensive and widely available for purchase by individuals of all ages and may be perceived as being safer than traditional drugs of abuse. DISCUSSION: Nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla are commonly abused spices. The major component of nutmeg is myristicin; myristicin has activity at serotonergic receptors and may result in psychomimetic symptoms after exposure. Cinnamon oils contain local irritants which may cause dermatitis or ulcerations after topical application. Ground cinnamon contains cellulose fibers; these are biopersistent and bioresistant, and inhalational exposure to cinnamon powder can result in chronic pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Pure vanilla extract contains a minimum of 35% ethanol according to the United States Food and Drug Administration standards, and abuse of vanilla extract may occur among individuals seeking ethanol intoxication. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, misuse or abuse of these spices frequently results in mild to moderate symptoms that do not require medical intervention, although more serious intoxications may require hospitalization. Clinicians should be aware of the potential dangers of household spice abuse and understand management strategies for these exposures.

The pulmonary toxicity of cinnamon dust in rats.

The histopathological effect of a single intratracheal dose of respirable cinnamon dust, cinnamon dust extract, and cellulose dust on the lungs of rats was studied sequentially one, seven days and one month after treatment. Exposure to respirable cinnamon and cellulose dusts resulted in alveobronchiolitis at the end of the first and seventh day, and fibrotic changes by the end of the first month. As the extract of cinnamon dust caused no histopathological alterations, it is assumed that the cellulose content of cinnamon dust was responsible for the histological reactions.

Identification of toxicants in cinnamon-flavored electronic cigarette refill fluids.

In a prior study on electronic cigarette (EC) refill fluids, Cinnamon Ceylon was the most cytotoxic of 36 products tested. The purpose of the current study was to determine if high cytotoxicity is a general feature of cinnamon-flavored EC refill fluids and to identify the toxicant(s) in Cinnamon Ceylon. Eight cinnamon-flavored refill fluids, which were screened using the MTT assay, varied in their cytotoxicity with most being cytotoxic. Human embryonic stem cells were generally more sensitive than human adult pulmonary fibroblasts. Most products were highly volatile and produced vapors that impaired survival of cells in adjacent wells. Cinnamaldehyde (CAD), 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (2MOCA), dipropylene glycol, and vanillin were identified in the cinnamon-flavored refill fluids using gas chromatography­mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). When authentic standards of each chemical were tested using the MTT assay, only CAD and 2MOCA were highly cytotoxic. The amount of each chemical in the refill fluids was quantified using HPLC, and cytotoxicity correlated with the amount of CAD/product. Duplicate bottles of the same product were similar, but varied in their concentrations of 2MOCA. These data show that the cinnamon flavorings in refill fluids are linked to cytotoxicity, which could adversely affect EC users.

[Action of essential oils of chamomile, cinnamon, absinthium, mace and origanum on operant conditioning behavior of the rat]. / Azione degli olii essenziali di camomilla, cannella, assenzio, magis e origano su un comportamento operativo nel ratto.

The Chamomile, Cinnamon, Absinthium, Mace, Origanum essential oils have been experimented on rat's operant conditioning behaviour. At the highest doses all the oils caused a depressive effect (probably due to toxicity) while at the lowest doses they caused weak or doubtful effects. Only the Origanum oil caused a depressive effect which clearly seems related to a direct action on the CNS.

Estudio toxicológico y teratogénico del extracto metanólico de cinnamomun zeylanicum (canela) / Toxicológico and teratogénico study of the metanólico extract of cinnamomun zeylanicum (cinnamon)

Se realizó el estudio fitoquímico, toxicológico agudo y citotóxico del cinnamomum zeylanicum (canela). Para la determinación de la DL50 se utilizaron 30 ratones albinos, cuyos pesos oscilaron entre 25 y 30 gr., siguiendo el método de Probits. Igualmente se determinó la concentración letal media (CL-50) en artemia salina. La actividad citotóxica y teratogénica fue evaluada en huevos de Tetrapygus Níger (erizo de mar). Nos permite concluir, siguiendo los criterios de William, que el extracto metanólico de la canela es ligeramente tóxico y posee efecto citotóxico frente al erizo de mar, no evidenciándose efecto teratogénico, a las dosis empleadas.

We have performed a Phytochemic. Toxicologic and Cytotoxic study, of Cinamomum zeylanicum (canela) in laboratory. We have determinated the letal 50-doses (DLSO) in mice, the letal middle concentration (CL_50) in Artemia salina and the cytotoxic and teratogenic effect on Tetrapygus niger eggs (sea Hedgehog). We may conclude following the William Criterions that the metanolic extract of canela is lightly toxic and it has cytotoxic effects on sea Hedgehog at the doses studied.