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.

Objective: To compare effect of Hypericum perforatum (H. perforatum) vaginal gel with metronidazole on bacterial vaginosis (BV) in terms of initial response to treatment and preventing recurrence (primary outcomes) and also patient complaints (secondary outcomes). Methods: In this double-blind, double dummy trial, married women aged 18-49 with BV were randomized into two groups and administered 5 g of 3% H. perforatum and placebo of metronidazole (n=82), or 5 g of 0.75% metronidazole and placebo of H. perforatum (n=80) vaginally for 5 d. Amsel criteria were used for diagnosis and assessing cure and recurrence of BV. The comparisons was done using Chi-square, Fisher's exact and logistic regression. Results: At 10-12 d, cure rate was 82% in the H. perforatum and 85% in metronidazole group (risk ratio 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.6 to 1.3). Among the cured women, recurrence rate was 9% in the H. perforatum and 13% in the metronidazole group at the 30-35 d visit (risk ratio 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.4 to 1.3). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding any patient complaints, except itching which was less in H. perforatum group (5% vs. 16%, P=0.018 at the first and 13% vs. 43%, P < 0.001 at the second follow-up). No significant adverse event was reported at any groups. Conclusions: H. perforatum could be a good option for treatment of BV. However, further studies are needed for its public use.

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