Identification of bioactive compounds in hydro-alcoholic extract of cinnamon by GC-MS ‎analysis and evaluation of its in-vitro anti-gastric cancer potential

Abstract

Background: Despite the availability of various treatment methods for gastric cancer, herbal medicine remains a promising candidate. This study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds in the hydroalcoholic extract (CHE) of cinnamon ‎‎(Cinnamomum zeylanicum) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Objectives: ‎To study the phytochemical constituents from the hydroalcoholic extract (CHE) of cinnamon ‎‎(Cinnamomum zeylanicum). Methods: The CHE ‎was tested for cytotoxicity against a normal human gastric epithelium cell line (GES‐1) and a human ‎gastric adenocarcinoma cell line ‎‎(AGS) as a model of gastric cancer. Results: The analysis revealed six main ‎phytochemical compounds in the CHE, with ‎cinnamaldehyde being the predominant compound. The CHE showed potent cytotoxicity against the AGS cell line at concentrations ranging from 100-600 μg/mL, significantly reducing ‎the viability of these cancerous cells to 20.88%‎‏ ‏compared to the control group (p<0.05). ‎In contrast, the CHE did not significantly affect the viability of GES‐1 ‎cells. Conclusion: The findings ‎obtained suggest a promising avenue for finding new anticancer compounds as potent ‎chemotherapeutic agents for gastric cancer.‎ Keywords: anticancer; bioactive compounds; cinnamon; cytotoxicity