Antiangiogenic potential and embryotoxicity of the aqueous bark extract of the endemic Philippine Cinnamon (Cinnamomum rupestre) in mallard duck embryos using the chorioallantoic membrane assay
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Angiogenesis is essential for normal embryonic development and contributes to the progression of many angiogenesis-dependent diseases. Although several Cinnamomum species possess antiangiogenic properties, the biological activity of the Philippine endemic Cinnamomum rupestre remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the embryotoxic and antiangiogenic effects of aqueous bark decoction of C. rupestre using the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Fertilized duck eggs were assigned to an untreated control, solvent control (double-distilled water), positive control (retinoic acid), and five extract concentrations (6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100%). Embryos were harvested on day 17 for morphometric measurements (crown-to-rump, forelimb, hindlimb, and beak lengths), while antiangiogenic activity was quantified by fractal dimension index (FDI) analysis of CAM vascular images using ImageJ. Morphometric data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD test. All morphometric parameters were significantly affected by treatment (p< 0.001). Embryos exposed to the 100% extract exhibited the shortest crown-to-rump, forelimb, and beak lengths, whereas lower concentrations were generally comparable with the controls. CAM vascular complexity declined significantly with increasing extract concentration (F(6,28) = 22.98, p< 0.0001; η² = 0.831), and the undiluted extract reduced FDI by approximately 29.5% relative to the untreated control. Complete embryo mortality in the retinoic acid group confirmed assay sensitivity. These findings provide the first experimental evidence that aqueous bark decoction of C. rupestre exhibits concentration-dependent embryotoxic and antiangiogenic activities, supporting its potential as a source of bioactive compounds for future phytochemical and molecular investigations.
Author: Jay P. Picardal*
Language: English
Topic: Medicinal Plant Research
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7202290165