The effects of herbal medicines on cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis: A literature review

Safarzadeh, Saba; Shirban, Farinaz; Bagherniya, Mohammad; Sathyapalan, Thozhukat; Sahebkar, Amirhossein

Abstract

Cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most troublesome morbidities after radio-chemotherapy. Age, nutritional status, tumor type, oral hygiene, and treatment method are the determinants for OM incidence. In addition, oxygen-free radicals can act as a trigger for an inflammatory milieu that causes OM. Based on the debilitating nature of OM, finding a safe and inexpensive agent with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antioxidative properties can be valuable for this situation. Considering the harmful effects of some chemical agents, herbal medicine has been suggested as a potential alternative owing to unique properties such as safety, availability and low cost. Many studies have illustrated several pharmacological properties of herbal medicines in recent years, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antioxidative activities, which are essential factors in the palliation of cancer therapy-induced OM. This review aimed to evaluate herbal medicines' effects on cancer therapy-induced OM. According to this comprehensive review, it is concluded that medicinal plants and phytochemicals can be used as practical agents in the palliation of cancer therapy-induced OM without any serious side effects.

Citation

Safarzadeh, S., Shirban, F., Bagherniya, M., Sathyapalan, T., & Sahebkar, A. (2022). The effects of herbal medicines on cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis: A literature review. Phytotherapy Research, 36(1), 243-265. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7308

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 28, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Deposit Date: Aug 29, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 29, 2022
• Journal: Phytotherapy Research
• Print ISSN: 0951-418X
• Electronic ISSN: 1099-1573
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 243-265
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7308
• Keywords: Cancer; Chemotherapy; Herbal medicine; Oral mucositis; Radiotherapy
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3868399