Herbal Medicine in Head and Neck Cancer:  A Review of Randomized Controlled Trial

Dimas Setyadi  Putra; Bachren Azra  Saputra; Deksa  Aldebaran; Syntiya Inanda  Khoidir

doi:10.18502/tim.v11i2.22058

Dimas Setyadi Putra Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia
Bachren Azra Saputra Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Deksa Aldebaran Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Agricultural Product Technology Study Program, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Syntiya Inanda Khoidir Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Agricultural Product Technology Study Program, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v11i2.22058

Keywords: Head and neck cancer; Herbal medicine; HNC

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a significant global health issue, ranking as the seventh most common cancer worldwide in 2020. Standard treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy often lead to adverse effects such as oral mucositis (OM) and gastrointestinal complications, which negatively impact patients' quality of life (QoL). The use of herbal medicine has emerged as a complementary approach to mitigate these side effects. This review aims to explore and assess the overview and outcomes of herbal medicine use in HNC patients through a review of randomized controlled trial (RCTs) studies. Articles were searched until to October 19, 2024, using two databases: PubMed and The Cochrane Library with the keywords and combinations of ‘AND’ and ‘OR’ to search for relevant studies. Out of 1,312 articles identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies were conducted in diverse regions, including Iran, Japan, Taiwan, India, China, Germany, and Brazil, with sample sizes ranging from 20 to 74 participants. Herbal medicine showed potential benefits in managing OM, improving gastrointestinal motility, and alleviating xerostomia. Herbal medicines demonstrate promising efficacy and safety profiles in managing HNC-related complications, such as OM, gastrointestinal issues, and QoL. These findings suggest the potential integration of herbal medicine into HNC management as an innovative and supportive care strategy.