The effect of “Curcuma Longa” topical gel on radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer

Background: Different treatment and protective approaches for radiation-induced oral mucositis have been practiced and have varieties of success. Of which, radioprotective agents, synthetic or natural, have been of great interest for researchers. This study aims to evaluate the effect of curcuma longa topical gel as a herbal production on mucositis induced by radiation therapy of head and neck cancers. Materials and Methods: Thirty seven patients with head and neck cancer admitted for radiation therapy were selected. The patients were given curcuma longa or placebo topical gel for 8 weeks since the initiation of the radiotherapy, and were evaluated weekly for the presence and the extent of oral mucositis. Results: No grade-3 mucositis was observed in patients who used curcuma longa topical gel, and the grade of the mucositis was significantly different between the two groups with better effects found in case group compared to controls. No significant difference between the case and control groups was observed when comparing the time of appearing the first signs of mucositis. Oral lesions in case group were significantly smaller than that of control group. Conclusion: This study showed that the topical gel, containing curcuma longa’s derivate, can effectively reduce the oral symptoms of mucositis in patients undergoing head and neck cancer radiotherapy. This herbal drug improves the grade of mucositis and reduces the size of oral lesions resulting from radiotherapy to the head and neck region.