Pharmacological Studies on the Antiulcerogenic Activity of Chinese Cinnamon

Abstract

The intraperitoneal administration of an aqueous extract of Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) to rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight prevented the occurrence of stress ulcers under exposure to a cold atmosphere (3-5° C) or on restraint in water (22-24° C). This extract, which was administered to rats orally or intraperitoneally, also strongly inhibited gastric ulcers induced by a subcutaneous injection of serotonin in rats. Pharmacological studies have shown that the aqueous extract not only inhibits gastric secretion, but also promotes gastric mucosal blood flow. These results suggest that the antiulcerogenic effect of Chinese cinnamon is due to both the inhibition of aggressive factors and the potentiation of a defensive factor.