Efficacy of Darchini in the management of polycystic ovarian syndrome: A randomized clinical study

Abstract

Background and objectivesPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex syndrome affecting 15% of women of reproductive age. Considering the lack of a standard therapy, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of darchini (cinnamon) in the management of PCOS. MethodsThis study was a randomized, single blind controlled trial. Subjects aged 18–42 years fulfilling the Rotterdam criteria for PCOS were included. The test group received 1.5 g of powdered cinnamon bark in capsule form twice a day, whilst the control group received metformin 500 mg twice a day for 60 days. The primary outcomes were change in fasting blood sugar levels, resumption of normal menstrual cyclicity pattern and ovulation. Changes in body mass index and waist/hip ratio were secondary outcome measures. ResultsMarked improvement in the menstrual cycle pattern was observed in the groups, 51.9% in the test and 61.3% in the control. Insulin resistance did not change for either of the patients taking cinnamon or metformin (p = 0.899). Post-ovulatory progesterone value in both the test and the control group was similar at baseline and outcome (P = 0.880). A remarkable change was observed in the ovarian size, and complete amelioration was reported in 6 patients in the control and 7 patients in the test group. ConclusionThe most important change was improvement in the menstrual pattern during the therapy. Our results support the fact that, despite the small metabolic and hormonal changes, cinnamon therapy is well tolerated by the majority of patients and may be clinically useful, especially in patients with menstrual disturbances in PCOS. Hence, cinnamon can be considered as an alternate therapy for the management of PCOS.