Cinnamic Acid Powder
Also known as: Cinnamic acid powder, trans-cinnamic acid, Cinnamic acid
Overview
Cinnamic acid, also known as trans-cinnamic acid, is a naturally occurring aromatic organic acid and a phenylpropanoid compound. It is a major bioactive component found in cinnamon bark and various other plants, where it contributes to the characteristic flavor and aroma. As a dietary supplement ingredient, cinnamic acid powder is utilized for its potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. It is also recognized for its role in modulating lipid metabolism. While extensively studied in preclinical models, direct human clinical trials on isolated cinnamic acid powder are limited. Most human evidence stems from studies on whole cinnamon extracts, which contain cinnamic acid among other compounds. It is also widely used in the food and fragrance industries.
Benefits
Cinnamic acid demonstrates several evidence-based benefits, primarily observed in preclinical studies. It exhibits significant hepatoprotective effects, reducing liver fat accumulation and injury in high-fat diet animal models by decreasing triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis. Its potent anti-inflammatory properties are evident through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and NF-κB signaling pathways in various models of inflammation, including colitis, hepatitis, and adipose tissue inflammation. Furthermore, cinnamic acid acts as a strong antioxidant, enhancing the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes like glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), thereby reducing oxidative stress markers. Secondary effects include potential neuroprotection by reducing brain inflammation and depressive-like behavior in animal models. While direct human clinical evidence for isolated cinnamic acid powder is limited, meta-analyses of cinnamon supplementation (which contains cinnamic acid) have shown modest reductions in blood pressure (approximately 4 mmHg) and benefits in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes patients. Benefits in animal studies typically manifest over weeks, while human cinnamon trials usually last 6-16 weeks.
How it works
Cinnamic acid exerts its biological effects through several key mechanisms. It primarily acts by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway, which leads to a reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. It also modulates apoptotic pathways, for instance, by inhibiting caspase-1 and promoting Bcl-2. Metabolically, cinnamic acid suppresses the synthesis and accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol in liver cells, contributing to its hepatoprotective effects. Its antioxidant action involves scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulating the body's endogenous antioxidant enzymes, thereby mitigating oxidative stress. While specific human absorption and bioavailability data for isolated cinnamic acid powder are limited, its derivatives are known to be bioavailable and undergo metabolism in the liver.
Side effects
The overall safety profile of cinnamic acid powder, based on studies of cinnamon extracts which contain it, appears favorable. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials on cinnamon supplementation have reported no significant adverse effects. Common side effects are minimal to none in controlled studies. Uncommon or rare side effects have not been reported at studied doses. Regarding drug interactions, there are no well-documented interactions specific to isolated cinnamic acid powder. However, caution is advised when combined with anticoagulants or antidiabetic drugs, given the known effects of whole cinnamon. Contraindications for cinnamic acid powder are not established, but due to a lack of specific data, caution is recommended during pregnancy and lactation. Safety in children and pregnant women has not been well studied, and therefore, use in these special populations should be approached with caution.
Dosage
There is no established minimum effective or optimal dosage for isolated cinnamic acid powder due to a lack of direct human clinical trials. Dosage recommendations are primarily extrapolated from studies on whole cinnamon powder supplementation, which contains cinnamic acid as a component. Clinical trials on cinnamon powder typically use doses ranging from 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg daily for metabolic benefits. For instance, 2,000–3,000 mg/day of cinnamon powder has shown metabolic improvements in randomized controlled trials. The maximum safe dose for isolated cinnamic acid is not well defined; however, cinnamon intake up to 6 grams per day has generally been considered safe in short-term studies. In clinical trials, cinnamon powder is often administered with meals. Pure cinnamic acid powder supplements currently lack specific clinical dosing guidelines. While bioavailability may be influenced by formulation, no specific cofactors are identified to enhance its absorption.
FAQs
Is cinnamic acid powder safe?
Based on safety data from cinnamon supplementation, which contains cinnamic acid, no significant adverse effects have been reported at typical doses, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
Does cinnamic acid lower blood pressure?
Cinnamon supplementation has been shown to modestly reduce blood pressure. While isolated cinnamic acid's direct effects in humans are not fully studied, it likely contributes to this benefit.
How long does it take to see benefits from cinnamic acid?
Clinical benefits observed from cinnamon supplementation, which contains cinnamic acid, typically appear within 6 to 16 weeks of consistent use.
Is cinnamic acid the same as cinnamon?
No, cinnamic acid is a specific chemical compound and a key bioactive component found within cinnamon. Cinnamon itself contains multiple bioactive compounds, not just cinnamic acid.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8804376/ – This umbrella review of meta-analyses assessed the safety of cinnamon supplementation in humans. It concluded that cinnamon is generally safe with no significant increase in adverse effects, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy. The review provides comprehensive safety data, although it notes that the quality of some included meta-analyses was moderate to low.
- https://ccbjournal.ssu.ac.ir/article_130.html – This meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials investigated the effect of cinnamon supplementation on blood pressure. It found that cinnamon supplementation significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure by approximately 4 mmHg in various patient populations, including those with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. The study included high-quality RCTs, despite some heterogeneity in doses and populations.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12386455/ – This preclinical study, utilizing animal and cell models (rats and HepG2 cells), explored the hepatoprotective effects of cinnamic acid. It demonstrated that cinnamic acid reduced liver fat accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, primarily through the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. While providing strong preclinical evidence, the study highlights the current lack of direct human clinical trials on isolated cinnamic acid.
