Borneo Journal of Pharmacy
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Borneo Journal of Pharmacy

Rapid and Controlled: Microflow Reactor-Assisted Synthesis of Cinnamaldehyde and Ethyl Cinnamate along with Their Cytotoxic Activity Against Several Cell Lines

Nindita Fransiska Rahmawati (Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta)
Muhtadi Muhtadi (Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta)
Andi Suhendi (Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta)
Ahmad Fauzi (Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta)
Didin Mujahidin (Institut Teknologi Bandung)
Ahwan Ahwan (Universitas Sahid Surakarta)
Agustono Wibowo (Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

Cinnamaldehyde is a major aromatic compound utilized in the pharmaceutical industry due to its diverse biological activities, including anticancer potential. This study aims to develop a rapid and controlled synthesis method for cinnamaldehyde and ethyl cinnamate using microflow reactor technology, followed by structural elucidation and cytotoxic evaluation against HeLa, MCF-7, and T47D cancer cell lines. The synthesis of cinnamaldehyde was performed via aldol condensation of benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde (1.3:1 molar ratio) at 70°C, while ethyl cinnamate was synthesized through a two-step process involving Pinnick oxidation and Fischer esterification. The results demonstrated that microflow synthesis achieved a cinnamaldehyde yield of 52% with high purity (100% based on HPLC relative area), and ethyl cinnamate with 99% purity. In cytotoxic assays, synthesized cinnamaldehyde exhibited moderate activity, most notably against HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ of 95 µg/mL, whereas ethyl cinnamate showed lower potency (IC₅₀ > 200 µg/mL). Although the synthesized compounds were less potent than the standard cinnamaldehyde (IC₅₀ 1.56 µg/mL) and Doxorubicin control, this study confirms that microflow reactor technology is a highly effective and time-efficient method for producing high-purity cinnamate derivatives.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bjop

Publisher

Subject

Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Borneo Journal of Pharmacy publishes various scientific articles covering Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the field but not limited to: Pharmacology-Toxicology, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapy, and toxicology. Pharmacognosy-Phytochemistry, including ...