EFFECTIVENESS OF CINNAMON BARK EXTRACT IN THE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intranasal cinnamon extract (CE) in the management of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: This is a systematic review, using the standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane to search six databases: Cochrane, PUBMED, EMBASE and LILACS, from database inception up to May 2020, to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of CE in treatment for AR. RESULTS: We included two trials involving a total of 100 participants. The studies were at low risk of bias. All studies had similar participant selection criteria and outcome measurement, enabling a meta-analysis. Both studies used a validated instrument (Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire – RQLQ) for this primary outcome (SMD -1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.58 to -0.59, P <0.0001). . All studies resulted in at least some clinical benefit with the use of CE compared to placebo. None of the included studies reported any significant adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Despite the evidence from two studies showed certain positive effects of response for CE under evaluation in treatment of AR. We found no evidence regarding the effectiveness of cinnamon bark extract for allergic rhinitis. Well-conducted randomized clinical trials using CE are needed to further advance our understanding of the effectiveness of AR.