Extract prepared from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia Blume prevents glutamate-induced neuronal death in cultured cerebellar granule cells

We studied the protective effect of a water extract from the bark of Cinnam omum cassia Blume on glutamate-induced neuronal death by MTT assay and its action on Ca-45(2+) influx using cultured rat cerebellar granule cells. In a dose-dependent manner, this extract (10(-5)-10(-4) g/mL) significantly pr otected against glutamate-induced cell death and also inhibited glutamate-i nduced 45Ca(2+) influx, These results suggest that the bark of Cinnamomum c assia has a protective effect on glutamate-induced neuronal death through t he inhibition of Ca2+ influx. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.