Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder in which the immune system mistakenly stimulates skin cells to reproduce too quickly. Although psoriasis isn't a life-threatening condition, it can have great psychological impact and also trigger a form of arthritis. In addition to topical medications and oral anti-inflammatory drugs, compounds in the spice cinnamon might help to counter inflammatory chemicals your body makes that trigger psoriasis. Consult your physician first to avoid potential side effects or drug interactions.
Inflammatory Process
Psoriasis develops when specialized white blood cells called T-cells become overactive. These cells routinely patrol the body via the bloodstream in search of invading pathogens collectively referred to as antigens. T-cells release special enzymes to neutralize the antigens. This triggers the immune system to send out messaging proteins called cytokines that tell skin cells to speed up reproduction and growth. This cascade of events leads to the thickening and redness of the skin and scaly, white patches composed of dead cells.
Treatment Goal
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the primary objective in treating psoriasis is to prevent the activation of T-cells by blocking cytokines. This is the mechanism behind pharmaceutical medications used to treat psoriasis such as adalimumab and etanercept, better known as Humira and Enbrel, respectively.
Cinnamon Pharmacology
The medicinal components of Cinnamon vernum, a species of tree native to Sri Lanka and southwestern India, are the bark of young branches, cinnamon leaf oil and cinnamon bark oil. Cinnamon contains various proanthocyanidins and muscilages and two kinds of diterpene alkaloids. The most active constituents are found in cinnamon bark oil, which contains cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Cinnamaldehyde exerts antibacterial properties when applied topically to skin. Internally, eugenol, a volatile oil also found in cloves, appears to demonstrate anti-inflammatory qualities by interacting with cytokines.
Effects on Psoriasis
According to a review published in the "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences" in December 2004, eugenol, one of the compounds found in cinnamon, blocks an immune system complex protein involved in the inflammatory process called nuclear transcription factor kappaB. A study published in "Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids" in January 2006 reports that eugenol also inhibits a specific enzyme in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, specialized white blood cells the immune system uses to fight infection. This enzyme, known as 5-lipoxygenase, plays a key role in many inflammatory disorders, including psoriasis.
Safety Considerations
Species of cinnamon other than Ceylon cinnamon contain high levels of coumarin, a compound marketed as a blood-thinning drug. This means that high intake of cinnamon could interact with similar medications such as warfarin. The Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines says that cinnamaldehyde shows mild estrogen effects in animal studies, so check with your physician before using this spice therapeutically if you have a history of breast or prostate cancer.
References
- National Psoriasis Foundation: Immune System Involvement
- NPF: Biologic Drugs
- "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines"; Thomas Brendler, et al.; 2007
- "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences"; Suppression of the Nuclear Factor-kappaB Activation Pathway by Spice-derived Phytochemicals: Reasoning for Seasoning; B.B. Aggarwal, S. Shishodia; December 2004
- "Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids"; Eugenol--The Active Principle from Cloves Inhibits 5-lipoxygenase Activity and Leukotriene-C4 in Human PMNL Cells; H. Raghavenra; January 2006
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cinnamon
