Herbal Medicines for Treatment of Radiodermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- 1 December 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Vol. 27 (12), 1098-1104
- https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2021.0166
Abstract
Background: There is some evidence in favor of the efficacy of herbal medicine in the treatment of radiodermatitis as a frequent complication among cancer patients. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal medicines on the treatment of radiodermatitis in cancer patients. Study design: Systematic review performed in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. Methods: We searched the electronic databases, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, and ISI Web of Science, through July 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared herbal compounds against a standard medication or placebo for treatment or prevention of radiodermatitis. Results: A total of 16 RCTs involving 1886 patients with breast, head and neck, or unspecified cancer were included. Risk of bias generally was high. Of those, three RCTs with 562 cancer patients (mainly breast cancer) who used Aloe vera to treat radiodermatitis were included in the meta-analysis. There was a significant level of heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 95.8). One RCT found positive effects of Aloe vera in reducing the severity of radiodermatitis (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 3.37), whereas another revealed an inverse effect (SMD = −4). Conclusion: At present, there are no herbal compositions that are effective in treating radiodermatitis, with Aloe vera failing to show sufficient efficacy in the meta-analysis.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Radiodermatitis: A Review of Our Current UnderstandingAmerican Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2016
- Three-Arm Randomized Phase III Trial: Quality Aloe and Placebo Cream Versus Powder as Skin Treatment During Breast Cancer Radiation TherapyClinical Breast Cancer, 2015
- Usage of Calendula officinalis in the prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trialRevista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 2015
- The effect of avena sativa cream on dermatitis caused by radiation in breast cancer patients: a pilot studyInternational Journal of Biosciences (IJB), 2015
- Topical application of a sandal wood oil and turmeric based cream prevents radiodermatitis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy: a pilot studyThe British Journal of Radiology, 2014
- No differences between Calendula cream and aqueous cream in the prevention of acute radiation skin reactions – Results from a randomised blinded trialEuropean Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2013
- Topical Use of a Silymarin-Based Preparation to Prevent RadiodermatitisStrahlentherapie und Onkologie, 2011
- Management of skin toxicity during radiation therapy: A review of the evidenceJournal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology, 2010
- The role of radiotherapy in cancer treatmentCancer, 2005
- A Phase III Study on the Efficacy of Topical Aloe Vera Gel on Irradiated Breast TissueCancer Nursing, 2002