Efficacy of the plantago major L. syrup on radiation induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION Oral mucositis is a complication of radiation therapy in cancer patients. We designed a trial to evaluate efficacy of plantago major on symptoms of radiation induced mucositis in cancer patients. METHODS In this randomized double blind, placebo-controlled trial 23 patients received plantago major syrup as intervention group and 23 patients received placebo syrup as control group for 7 weeks. Outcome measures were severity of mucositis according to WHO scale and severity of patients' pain assessed by visual analogue scale. RESULTS Severity of mucositis were significantly lower in intervention group compared to placebo group (p value<0.05). Also patients in intervention group experienced significantly less pain compared to placebo group during radiotherapy period (p value<0.05) CONCLUSION: Plantago major L syrup was effective on the reduction of the symptoms of radiation induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancers.