Effect of Cinnamon on Inflammatory Factors, Pain and Anthropometric Indices in Progressive-relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most disabling neurological disease and has been studied for decades, but there are still many unproven treatments. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a well-known herb and has many therapeutic applications. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cinnamon on inflammatory factors, pain, and anthropometric indices in patients with progressive-relapsing MS. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients suffering from progressive-relapsing MS were randomly recruited from Shiraz MS Center. Four capsules of cinnamon were taken every day for eight weeks by each participant in the intervention group (500 mg in each capsule) and four capsules of wheat flour by the control group (500 mg in each capsule). A 3-day 24-h food recall and physical activity questionnaire was filled out by interviewing before and after the intervention. Pain level was evaluated by using a Visual Analog scale (VAS). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in blood samples before and after the intervention. Participants underwent anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, and waist and hip circumference. Results: Thirty-six (87.80%) participants were female, and twenty-six patients were married (63.41%). IL-6 and hs-CRP levels decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). According to the VAS results, the pain level also decreased significantly (P = 0.003) in the intervention group in comparison to the control group. Conclusions: Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating inflammatory disease, and cinnamon may help improve inflammatory markers and pain in MS patients.