Effect of cinnamon on migraine attacks and inflammatory markers: A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. (7th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zareie, Azadeh; Sahebkar, Amirhossein; Khorvash, Fariborz; Bagherniya, Mohammad; Hasanzadeh, Akbar; Askari, Gholamreza
• Is Part Of: Phytotherapy research. Volume 34:Number 11(2020)
• Page Start: 2945
• Page End: 2952
• Publication Date: 2020-07-07
• Subjects: calcitonin‐gene‐related -- cinnamon -- interleukin‐6 -- migraine -- nitric oxide; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; Botany, Medical -- Periodicals; Medicinal plants -- Periodicals; Plant Extracts -- therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Plants, Medicinal -- Periodicals; 581.634
• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6721
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-418X

Abstract

Abstract : Migraine is the most common type of primary headaches. Increased levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), calcitonin‐gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and nitric oxide (NO) lead to inflammation and neurogenic pain. Cinnamon has anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of cinnamon on migraine attacks and inflammatory status. Fifty patients with migraine were randomized to receive either cinnamon powder (three capsules/day each containing 600 mg of cinnamon) or three placebo capsules/day each containing 100 mg of corn starch (control group) for 2 months. Serum levels of IL‐6, CGRP and NO were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. The frequency, severity and duration of pain attacks were also recorded using questionnaire. Serum concentrations of IL‐6 and NO were significantly reduced in the cinnamon group compared with the control group ( p < .05). However, serum levels of CGRP remained unchanged in both groups. The frequency, severity and duration of migraine attacks were significantly decreased in the cinnamon group compared with the control group. Cinnamon supplementation reduced inflammation as well as frequency, severity and duration of headache in patients with migraine. Cinnamon could be regarded as a safe supplement to relieve pain and other complications of migraine.