Ceylon cinnamon (<em>Cinnamomum zeylanicum</em>): Unveiling the health potential

Cinnamomum zeylanicum provides numerous health benefits linked to its phytochemical composition, which varies by maturity, storage conditions, and genotypes. As previous studies have not examined how these factors affect the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties of C. zeylanicum, this study aims to address this gap and explore its broader applications. Both leaves and bark of seed-propagated (N) and vegetatively propagated varieties, Sri Gemunu (G) and Sri Vijaya (V) were used in the study. Three maturity stages, i.e.: 1-3 years (M3), 3-5 years (M2), and >5 years (M1) were subjected to the analysis in each case. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays, considering storage conditions (room temperature, 4°C) and storage duration of 1 week to 12 months. The most promising samples were then evaluated for antimicrobial and anticancer activity against MCF-7 and Hep-G2 cells. The results showed that NM1 leaves displayed heightened RSA [IC50: 0.27 ± 0.04 mgmL-1] whereas NM1 bark gave varied radical scavenging activity (RSA) values exhibiting the highest RSA (0.60 ± 0.09 mgmL-1). Maturity-influenced antioxidant activity of GM1 leaves exhibited the highest FRAP values at 2358.8 μmol FeSO4/g dry weight (DW). Bark of GM1 recorded FRAP value of 2770.0 ± 3.19 μmol FeSO4/g DW. Enhanced methanolic extracts (MeOH-Ex) from NM1 leaves and the bark demonstrated potent antimicrobial effects, inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 2.5 mgmL-1) and displaying robust anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans (MIC: 0.078 μgmL-1). In addition, MeOH-Ex of leaves showed the most potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells, Hep-G2 (cell viability: 11.53 ± 0.63%) after 48 hours. The research underscores the remarkable antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties in C. zeylanicum leaves and bark, in NM1. This highlights the health benefits of seed-propagated C. zeylanicum over G and V varieties, offering valuable insights for future research and product development.