• Shastri Motilal and Rohan G Maharaj.
• Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies. askdrmotilal@gmail.com
• J Altern Complement Med. 2013 Apr 1;19(4):347-52.

ObjectivesCurrent treatment strategies for painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) include oral medications, which are costly and may have adverse effects. Topical therapies have been used for PDN with some benefit. Nutmeg has certain properties that may be effective in ameliorating neuropathic pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether topical nutmeg extracts can reduce pain or improve the quality of life in PDN sufferers.DesignThis study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Settings/LocationIt was conducted at a primary care center in Trinidad, Caribbean.SubjectsSeventy-four (74) diabetic subjects who met criteria for painful neuropathy were recruited.InterventionsParticipants were randomized to receive either topical nutmeg extracts (NEMM; mace oil [2%], nutmeg oil [14%], methyl salicylate [6%], menthol [6%], and coconut oil) or placebo (MM; methyl salicylate [6%], menthol [6%], coconut oil, and alcohol).Outcome MeasuresOutcome measures of pain and quality of life were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory for Diabetic Painful Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory.ResultsAn intention-to-treat analysis was done for 24 male and 50 female subjects (30-85 years) with an average duration of diabetes of 11 years. Significant reductions in worst and average pain scores were seen within each group (p ≤ 0.001). Similarly significant reductions were also noted for interference with walking, sleep, and mood scores as well as burning, pins and needles, and tingling scores within each group (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between both groups after 4 weeks for any outcome measure.ConclusionsIn this trial topical, nutmeg extracts did not add to the improvements observed in PDN symptoms during 4 weeks treatment with preparations containing menthol and methyl salicylate. Further research designed to test the individual components of the topical therapies used in this study may clarify their benefit.

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