Curcumin Oral Gel Shows Promise in Treating Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights -

Investigators at the University of Baghdad have conducted a study to examine the effects of curcumin oral gel on oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation. The research, published in the Diyala Journal of Medicine, suggests that curcumin oral gel may be a viable alternative treatment for oral mucositis, a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers conducted a study involving 90 head and neck cancer patients, with 45 patients in each group receiving concurrent chemoradiation.
  • The study found that patients who took oral curcumin gel had less severe oral mucositis and lower salivary levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) scale showed significant differences between the two groups at 2 weeks (P = 0.041) and 6 weeks (P = 0.02).
  • The study concluded that curcumin oral gel may reduce salivary tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels and serve as an alternative treatment for oral mucositis.
  • The research was conducted under the guidance of Rouaa S. Farhan, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, with additional authors Fawaz D. Al-Aswad.

Statistics:

  • 90 head and neck cancer patients participated in the study.
  • 45 patients in each group received concurrent chemoradiation.
  • Patients who took oral curcumin gel had a 2-week WHO scale score of 41.3 (P = 0.041) and a 6-week score of 20.2 (P = 0.02).
  • Salivary tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels decreased by 27.5% in curcumin gel group (P < 0.001).
  • Interleukin-6 levels decreased by 31.1% in curcumin gel group (P < 0.001).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Study Findings from University of Baghdad Provide New Insights into Head and Neck Cancer (Curcumin Oral Gel and its Relation to Salivary Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-6 that Treated Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients ...). Health & Medicine Week. May 16, 2025; p 7417.
  • Farhan, R. S., Al-Aswad, F. D. (2025). Curcumin Oral Gel and its Relation to Salivary Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-6 that Treated Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Concurrent Chemoradiation. Diyala Journal of Medicine, 28(1). doi: 10.26505/djm.v28i1.1211