Cinnamon / Hif1a Cancer Research Results

Cin, Cinnamon: Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
Cinnamon is a spice from inner bark from several tree species.
Cinnamon refers primarily to bark extracts from Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamomum cassia. Bioactive constituents include cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid derivatives, procyanidins, and polyphenols. In cancer models, cinnamon extracts and cinnamaldehyde are most frequently reported to exert anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic effects. Mechanistic themes include suppression of NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling, modulation of MAPK pathways, induction of mitochondrial apoptosis, and context-dependent ROS elevation in tumor cells. Some studies report inhibition of HIF-1α and glycolytic signaling, though cinnamon is not a direct enzymatic Warburg inhibitor. Effects vary substantially depending on species (Ceylon vs Cassia), preparation (aqueous vs ethanol extract), and dose. Human oncology data remain limited and largely preclinical.

Biological activity, cinnamaldehyde from Ceylon cinnamon:
Antimicrobial activity: 10-50 μM
Antioxidant activity: 10-100 μM
Anti-inflammatory activity: 20-50 μM
Anticancer activity: 50-100 μM
Cardiovascular health: 20-50 μM

5 g of Ceylon cinnamon might contain roughly between 30 mg and 150 mg of cinnamaldehyde, with an approximate mid-range estimate of about 70 mg.
Assuming a moderate supplemental intake 50–200 mg of cinnamaldehyde, peak plasma levels might be anticipated in the vicinity of 1–10 μM.

Cancer Pathway Table: Cinnamon

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer / Tumor Context Normal Tissue Context TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 NF-κB inflammatory / survival signaling NF-κB ↓; COX-2 ↓; cytokines ↓ (reported) Inflammatory tone ↓ R, G Anti-inflammatory / anti-survival One of the more consistently reported mechanisms across tumor models.
2 PI3K → AKT → mTOR axis PI3K/AKT ↓; proliferation ↓ (model-dependent) R, G Growth signaling suppression Frequently observed downstream of cinnamaldehyde exposure.
3 Intrinsic apoptosis (mitochondrial pathway) Bax ↑; Bcl-2 ↓; caspases ↑ (reported) Minimal activation at lower exposure G Apoptotic induction Apoptosis induction often associated with mitochondrial depolarization.
4 ROS modulation (dose-dependent) ROS ↑ (tumor contexts); apoptosis ↑ Antioxidant activity at low exposure P, R Redox modulation Cinnamaldehyde may increase ROS in cancer cells while acting antioxidant at lower doses.
5 MAPK pathways (ERK / JNK / p38) Stress-MAPK modulation (context-dependent) P, R, G Signal reprogramming JNK/p38 activation reported in apoptosis models; ERK modulation varies.
6 HIF-1α / glycolysis signaling HIF-1α ↓; glycolytic gene expression ↓ (reported) R, G Indirect Warburg modulation Not a direct enzyme inhibitor; metabolic effects appear secondary to survival pathway suppression.
7 Angiogenesis (VEGF signaling) VEGF ↓; angiogenesis ↓ (reported) G Anti-angiogenic Observed in some in vitro and animal models.
8 Cell-cycle regulation (G1/G2-M arrest) Cell-cycle arrest ↑ (reported) G Cytostasis Associated with reduced Cyclin/CDK expression.
9 Metastasis / EMT modulation MMPs ↓; migration ↓ (reported) G Anti-invasive phenotype Likely downstream of NF-κB and PI3K modulation.
10 Safety / composition constraint (coumarin content) High cassia intake may pose hepatotoxicity risk Generally safe in culinary amounts Translation constraint Cassia cinnamon contains higher coumarin; Ceylon cinnamon preferred for higher intake.

TSF: P = 0–30 min (redox and early signaling effects), R = 30 min–3 hr (acute pathway modulation), G = >3 hr (apoptosis, angiogenesis, phenotype changes).



Hif1a, HIF1α/HIF1a: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
Hypoxia-Inducible-Factor 1A (HIF1A gene, HIF1α, HIF-1α protein product)
-Dominantly expressed under hypoxia(low oxygen levels) in solid tumor cells
-HIF1A induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
-High HIF-1α expression is associated with Poor prognosis
-Low HIF-1α expression is associated with Better prognosis

-Functionally, HIF-1α is reported to regulate glycolysis, whilst HIF-2α regulates genes associated with lipoprotein metabolism.
-Cancer cells produce HIF in response to hypoxia in order to generate more VEGF that promote angiogenesis

Key mediators of aerobic glycolysis regulated by HIF-1α.
-GLUT-1 → regulation of the flux of glucose into cells.
-HK2 → catalysis of the first step of glucose metabolism.
-PKM2 → regulation of rate-limiting step of glycolysis.
-Phosphorylation of PDH complex by PDK → blockage of OXPHOS and promotion of aerobic glycolysis.
-LDH (LDHA): Rapid ATP production, conversion of pyruvate to lactate;

HIF-1α Inhibitors:
-Curcumin: disruption of signaling pathways that stabilize HIF-1α (ie downregulate).
-Resveratrol: downregulate HIF-1α protein accumulation under hypoxic conditions.
-EGCG: modulation of upstream signaling pathways, leading to decreased HIF-1α activity.
-Emodin: reduce HIF-1α expression. (under hypoxia).
-Apigenin: inhibit HIF-1α accumulation.


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
952- Cin,    Cinnamon Extract Reduces VEGF Expression Via Suppressing HIF-1α Gene Expression and Inhibits Tumor Growth in Mice
- in-vitro, BC, MDA-MB-231 - in-vitro, GBM, U251 - in-vivo, Ovarian, SKOV3
VEGF↓, Hif1a↓, p‑STAT3↓, p‑Akt↓, angioG↓, TumCG↓, TumW↓, ascitic↓,
1568- Cin,    Can Cinnamon be the Silver Bullet for Cancer?
- Review, NA, NA
VEGF↓, Hif1a↓,
3892- Cin,    Cinnamon from the selection of traditional applications to its novel effects on the inhibition of angiogenesis in cancer cells and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, and a series of functions such as antioxidant, anticholesterol, antidiabetes, antibacterial, antifungal, nematicidal, acaracidal, and repellent activities
- Review, AD, NA - Review, Var, NA
*antiOx↑, *Inflam↓, *cardioP↑, angioG↓, VEGF↓, *LDL↓, COX2↓, Hif1a↓, *Aβ↓, *tau↓, *toxicity↓,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 3 of 3

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 3

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Cell Death

p‑Akt↓, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

p‑STAT3↓, 1,   TumCG↓, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature

angioG↓, 2,   Hif1a↓, 3,   VEGF↓, 3,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

COX2↓, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers

ascitic↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes

TumW↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 9

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

antiOx↑, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

LDL↓, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

Inflam↓, 1,  

Synaptic & Neurotransmission

tau↓, 1,  

Protein Aggregation

Aβ↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes

cardioP↑, 1,   toxicity↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 7

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: Hif1a, HIF1α/HIF1a
3 Cinnamon
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:62  Target#:143  State#:%  Dir#:%
wNotes=0 sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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