Abstract

The genus Cinnamomum (family Lauraceae) is revered for the pleasant essential oils isolated from various species. Cinnamomum species are extensively employed all around the world not only as a spice but also in traditional and modern systems of medicine. These possess wide range of activities that included neuroprotective properties. Neurodegenerative disorders cause immense mortality and morbidity. Hence search for newer therapeutic targets for the management of such disorders has made herbals an important area for research. The present paper integrates and critically examines the scientific evidence on the role of Cinnamomum species in neuroprotection in in vitro and in vivo models of different neurodegenerative disorders. Literature was reviewed extensively by searching databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus to compile scientific data from 2003 to 2015, on the role of different species of Cinnamomum in various neurodegenerative disorders. Plants/phytoconstituents have demonstrated effects crucial for the management of neurodegenerative disorders. Various extracts, volatile oil and phytoconstituents isolated from Cinnamomum species diminished selective pathological and histological hallmarks in different neurodegenerative disorders such as inhibition of oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory mediators, and ischemic injury. This review summarized different research studies with Cinnamomum species to throw light on the promise held by these species as well as prospects for new drug development to manage neuronal damage. This genus appears to be a valuable source for developing new neuroprotective agents.