Protective Role of Cinnamic Acid in Experimental Ischemic Priapism

Abstract Objective To evaluate the protective effects of cinnamic acid (CA) against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in an experimental acute ischemic priapism model using biochemical and histopathological parameters. Materials and methods Eighteen male Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into three groups ( n = 6 each): control, priapism/reperfusion (P/R), and P/R + CA. Acute ischemic priapism was induced for 1 h followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Cinnamic acid (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min after priapism induction. Penile tissues were evaluated biochemically and histopathologically. Results The P/R group demonstrated significantly increased MDA and NF-κB levels and decreased GPx levels compared with the control group. Cinnamic acid treatment significantly improved these parameters. Significant alterations were also observed in GSH, ATF6, CHOP, and CASP3 levels. Histopathological examination revealed significantly increased vasocongestion and desquamation in the P/R group, whereas these findings were significantly reduced following cinnamic acid treatment. Masson’s trichrome staining demonstrated preservation of smooth muscle architecture and reduced collagen accumulation in the P/R + CA group. Conclusions Cinnamic acid demonstrated protective biochemical and histopathological effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in experimental ischemic priapism. These findings suggest that cinnamic acid may attenuate oxidative stress, inflammatory activation, and tissue injury associated with ischemic priapism. Further experimental and clinical studies are required to clarify its therapeutic potential and long-term safety profile.