The efficacy of oral aloe vera juice for radiation induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients : a double-blind placebo-controlled study

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oral aloe vera juice in the alleviation of radiation induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. Study design: Double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study. Setting : Radiotherapy and Oncology unit, Ramathibodi Hospital. Research Methodology: 61 eligible head and neck cancer patients who received conventional radiation therapy were randomized to received oral aloe vera juice(N=30) or placebo (N=31). Mucosal reaction was assessed during the course of radiation using RTOG grading system. Results: Patient baseline characteristics were identical in both arm except gender, which was more male patient in the aloe vera group (p=0.03) and previous surgery, which was higher in the placebo group (p=0.04). The incidence of the severe mucositis was statistically significant lower in the aloe vera group compared with the placebo (53% vs 87%, p =0.004). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the onset of severe mucositis. No adverse effects related to the drug were reported in this study. Conclusions: Oral aloe vera juice had some benefits in alleviating the severity of radiation-induced mucositis without any side effects. Because it is easy accessible in Thailand with a relatively low cost, the aloe vera juice should be considered as a good alternative agent for the radiation-induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancers