A Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Mulberry Formulations for Chemotherapy- and/or Radiotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis

TL;DR

This review finds that mulberry formulations may help reduce oral mucositis caused by cancer treatments and improve patient comfort.

Contribution

The study systematically evaluates the efficacy and safety of mulberry in treating chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

Findings

Mulberry formulations significantly reduced grade 2 and 3 oral mucositis compared to other interventions.

Mulberry improved pain scores and quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatments.

Some studies showed reduced dry mouth and better weight management with mulberry use.

Abstract

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the common side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is an extremely painful condition characterized by erythema, edema, and ulceration of the oral mucosa. Many plant-based and chemical formulations are used to prevent OM. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different black mulberry formulations in chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy-induced OM.

A systematic search was performed using PubMed, Excerpta Medica database (Embase), the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for articles published until March 2023. We have included studies conducted on people undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and compared the effect of any mulberry formulation with other interventions. Out of 30 articles retrieved, four articles with a cumulative sample size of (N = 297) were included in the review. Mulberry formulations were compared with no intervention, grape molasses, chlorhexidine, and sodium bicarbonate. Out of the four articles, in three articles, mulberry formulations showed a significant decrease in grade 2 and grade 3 OM and also showed better prevention of OM as compared to the other intervention and control groups, and in one article, the grape molasses was more preventive for the occurrence of OM. Mulberry showed a significant decrease in dry mouth. Mulberry showed more improvement in the pain score and quality of life. The incidence and severity were lower in the mulberry group than in other interventions. One article showed less weight loss, and another article showed gradual weight gain from the use of mulberries. From this, we conclude that mulberry is effective for the treatment of OM. Mulberry also shows improvement in the pain score and quality of life.

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