The Potential of Cinnamon Extract (Cinnamomum burmanii) as Anti-insomnia Medication through Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis Improvement in Rats

This study aimed to explore the efficacy of cinnamon extract as an anti-insomnia medication in experimental animals by evaluating the levels of hormones and neurotransmitters related to insomnia.A total of 30 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Induction of insomnia in animal models was done by administration of p-chloro-phenylalanine (PCPA) compounds. Estazolam was administrated to the positive control group. Cinnamon extract administration was divided into 3 doses, namely: 25 mg/kg BW, 50 mg/kg BW and 100 mg/kg BW. Evaluation of the organ coefficient was conducted to evaluate drug toxicity to the organs. The enzyme-linked-immunoassay method assessed hormones and neurotransmitters in the serum and hypothalamus related to insomnia.There was a decrease in the adrenal coefficient in the cinnamon extract group compared to the PCPA group (0.011+0.001, P<0.05). In addition, there was a decrease in the corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropin hormone, and corticosterone levels in the serum of animals who received cinnamon extract. Our study found a dose of cinnamon extract of 50 mg/kg BW was the best dose to balance neurotransmitter levels in insomniac rats.The cinnamon extract increased serotonin and melatonin levels and decreased norepinephrine levels in the insomnia-induced group. Cinnamon extract has potential as an anti-insomnia medication through hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenal axis improvement and brain neurotransmitter regulation in an animal model of insomnia.