# Characterization of Polysaccharides Derived From Cinnamomum cassia and Their Potential of Antioxidant Activity and Protective Action Against Methomyl Induced Rats Damage With In Silico Docking

**Authors:** Nozza Bouzenna, Mabrouk Horchani, Sabah Dhibi, Hafsia Bouzenna, Fatma Guesmi, Anouar Feriani, Hichem Ben Jannet, Sirine Choura, Angelo Maria Giuffrè, Mohamed Chamkha, Najla Hfaiedh

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202503347 · Chemistry & Biodiversity · 2026-01-21

## TL;DR

This study explores the antioxidant and protective properties of polysaccharides from Cinnamomum cassia against methomyl-induced damage in rats.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel in silico docking approach to evaluate the bio-insecticidal potential of Cinnamomum cassia polysaccharides.

## Key findings

- Cc-Ps showed high scavenging activity against DPPH●, ABTS•+, and NO free radicals.
- Pretreatment with Cc-Ps normalized oxidative stress markers and histopathological damage caused by methomyl.
- In silico docking simulations confirmed the bio-insecticidal potential of Cc-Ps compounds.

## Abstract

Herbal medicine is an important field focused on the treatment and prevention of various health conditions that may occur due to oxidative stress. Our investigation aimed to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant, and the protective activity of polysaccharides isolated from Cinnamomum cassia (Cc‐Ps). Cc‐Ps underwent thorough characterization through various analytical methods, including UV, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and HPLC. Our analysis showed that the Cc‐Ps exhibited highest amount of uronic acid. In addition, Cc‐Ps extract showed high ability to scavenge 2,2 diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH●), 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3 ethylbenzothiazoline‐6 sulfonic acid radical (ABTS•+), and NO free radicals in reaction system. There was a noticeable decrease in the activity of key antioxidant enzymes such a superoxide dismutase and glutathione (GSH) peroxidase accompanied by an increase in malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress. MET led to a clear impairment of the histopathological structure of both the liver and kidneys. Pretreatment with the polysaccharide extract normalized all biochemical and oxidative parameters. Virtual screening using docking simulations against “Drosophila melanogaster Acetylcholinesterase” was conducted to assess the bio‐insecticidal properties of specific polysaccharide compounds derived from C. cassia. Polysaccharides were effectively protective in the liver and kidneys against the toxic effects of MET under our experimental conditions.

Cinnamomum cassia and Their Potential of Antioxidant Activity and Protective Action Against Methomyl Induced Rats Damage With In Silico Docking

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** Methomyl (PubChem CID 4109), ABTS•+ (PubChem CID 35688), NO (PubChem CID 24822), Malondialdehyde (PubChem CID 10964)
- **Species:** Drosophila melanogaster (taxon 7227), Rattus norvegicus (taxon 10116)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** Sod1 (Superoxide dismutase 1) [NCBI Gene 39251] {aka 24492, CG11793, Cu, Cu-Zn SOD, Cu-Zn-SOD, Cu/Zn SOD}, Ace (Acetylcholine esterase) [NCBI Gene 41625] {aka ACHE, AChE, AcChE, AchE, CG17907, CHE}
- **Diseases:** Damage (MESH:D020263)
- **Chemicals:** uronic acid (MESH:D014574), Polysaccharides (MESH:D011134), malondialdehyde (MESH:D008315), Methomyl (MESH:D008724), NO (MESH:D009614), 2,2'-azinobis-(3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid (MESH:C002502), 2,2 diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (-), MET (MESH:D008715)
- **Species:** Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Cinnamomum aromaticum (species) [taxon 119260], Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly, species) [taxon 7227]

## Full text

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## Figures

10 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12822853/full.md

## References

63 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12822853/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12822853