Herbal Medicines for Treatment of Radiodermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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.