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

Background: Different treatment and protecve approaches for radiaon- induced oral mucosis have been pracced and have variees of success. Of which, radioprotecve agents, synthec or natural, have been of great interest for researchers. This study aims to evaluate the ef fect of curcuma longa topical gel as a herbal producon on mucosis induced by radiaon therapy of head and neck cancers. Materials and Methods: Thirty seven paents with head and neck cancer admi ed for radiaon therapy were selected. The paents were given curcuma longa or placebo topical gel for 8 weeks since the iniaon of the radiotherapy, and were evaluated weekly for the presence and the extent of oral mucosis. Results: No grade-3 mucosis was observed in paents who used curcuma longa topical gel, and the grade of the mucosis was significantly different between the two groups with be er effects found in case group compared to controls. No significant difference between the case and control groups was observed when comparing theme of appearing the first signs of mucosis. 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 effecvely reduce the oral symptoms of mucosis in paents undergoing head and neck cancer radiotherapy. This herbal drug improves the grade of mucosis and reduces the size of oral lesions resulng from radiotherapy to the head and neck region.