A systematic review on Chinese herbal treatment for radiotherapy-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients

Nik Nabil WN 1 , Lim RJ 2 , Chan SY 3 , Lai NM 4 , Liew AC 5

Affiliations 

  • 1 Pharmacy Department, National Cancer Institute, Prescint 7, 62250 Putrajaya, Putrajaya, Malaysia; Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Unit, National Cancer Institute, Prescint 7, 62250 Putrajaya, Putrajaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: pfnajbah@nci.gov.my
  • 2 Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Unit, National Cancer Institute, Prescint 7, 62250 Putrajaya, Putrajaya, Malaysia; First Clinical Medicine College, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, 210023 Nanjing, Republic of China. Electronic address: drrjlim@nci.gov.my
  • 3 Pharmacy Department, National Cancer Institute, Prescint 7, 62250 Putrajaya, Putrajaya, Malaysia; Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, 40402 Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China. Electronic address: siyanchan.pharm@gmail.com
  • 4 School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, No. 1, Jalan Taylor's, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: lainm123@gmail.com
  • 5 Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Unit, Hospital Kepala Batas, Jalan Bertam 2, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Electronic address: aichiliew81@gmail.com
Complement Ther Clin Pract, 2018 Feb;30:6-13.
PMID: 29389481 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.10.004

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Over 80% of head and neck cancer patients suffer from radiotherapy-induced xerostomia (dry mouth). Xerostomia affects cancer patients' quality of life, and xerostomia sometimes persists throughout the patients' lifetime. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbs in relieving radiotherapy induced xerostomia.

METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted on 6 databases (English and Chinese). Studies published up till May 2017 were considered for inclusion.

RESULTS: A final 14 RCTs (total 994 head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy) compared Chinese herbs with no herbs, were included in analysis. Very low to moderate quality of evidence found Chinese herbal treatment may relief radiotherapy-induced xerostomia and other related complications (such as oral mucositis and loss of appetite) in head and neck cancer patients.

CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence that Chinese herbal treatment may relief radiotherapy-induced xerostomia and other related complications in head and neck cancer patients.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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