Antiviral activity of (E)-cinnamaldehyde revisited with nanoscience tools

Abstract Contradictory results have been reported regarding the anti-viral activity of (E)-cinnamaldehyde, a major constituent (~69%) of cinnamon. Here we show that (E)-cinnamaldehyde alone has very low antiviral property contrary to the belief of commoners. There are early sporadic reports in ancient medicinal practices that fine sand was used for increasing the efficacy of antiviral drugs. Can we increase the efficacy of (E)-cinnamaldehyde marginally by using one of the major constituents of sand like silica? Yes, when nanosilica is used as a carrier during (E)-cinnamaldehyde administration, the antiviral efficacy of the resultant cocktail increases marginally. Therefore, (E)-cinnamaldehyde consumed for centuries in tribal therapy as well as in alternative medicine are largely belief based and does not yield good result till date, when subjected to rigorous scientific investigation.