Analgesic and wound-healing effects of cinnamon, a widely used spice, have been shown in laboratory rats. However, we found no human studies in this area.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of sex-hormonal changes in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among post-menopausal women through measuring estrogen receptor (ER) expression in their transverse carpal ligament (TCL) and serum estrogen level, as well as determine the correlation between these factors and electrodiagnostic parameters and Boston score. METHODS: Biopsy samples of TCL were collected from 12 postmenopausal women who had undergone surgery for severe idiopathic CTS; control specimens were collected from 10 postmenopausal women without CTS who had undergone surgery for the other hand pathologies. To determine the distributions of ER in TCL, histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. Serum estrogen level was also measured. Electrodiagnosis and Boston questionnaire were used for CTS severity and determination of the patients' function. RESULTS: ER expression in TCL and serum estrogen level were not significantly different in the case group compared to the control group (P = 0.79 and P = 0.88, respectively). Also, there was no correlation between ER expression or serum estrogen level and electrodiagnostic parameters or Boston score. CONCLUSIONS: Sex hormones cannot still be considered as the etiology of idiopathic CTS in postmenopausal women. The role of other factors such as wrist ratio and narrower outlet in females compared to the males should be considered along with hormonal changes.
Biopsy ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Electrodiagnosis ; Estrogens ; Female* ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones* ; Hand ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Male ; Pathology ; Wrist

BACKGROUNDAnalgesic and wound-healing effects of cinnamon, a widely used spice, have been shown in laboratory rats. However, we found no human studies in this area.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of cinnamon on perineal pain and healing of episiotomy incision.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONSIn this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 144 postpartum women were allocated into two groups, using stratified block randomization, 1 h after completion of episiotomy repair. They received cinnamon or placebo ointment, 2 mL every 12 h for 10 d.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESPerineal pain and wound healing were assessed using visual analogue scale (0-10) and Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation scale (0-15), respectively. General linear model was used to compare the groups on the outcomes adjusted for baseline values and stratified factors.

RESULTSFollow-up rate was 100% up to the 8 h time point in both groups, and 86% (62 of 72) in the cinnamon group and 85% (61 of 72) in the placebo group at day 10-11 after delivery. Pain score in the cinnamon group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group at (4±1) h (adjusted difference: -0.6, 95% confidence interval: -1.0 to -0.2) and (8±1) h (-0.9, -1.4 to -0.3) after intervention, and on the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.4, -2.0 to -0.7). Also the cinnamon group showed significantly more improvement than the control group in healing score at (8±1) h (-0.2, -0.4 to -0.04) and the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.6, -2.0 to -1.1).

CONCLUSIONCinnamon can be used for reducing perineal pain and improving healing of episiotomy incision.

Adult ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; chemistry ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Female ; Humans ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Pelvic Pain ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Perineum ; surgery ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; Young Adult