potential benefits of aloe vera and raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus gel for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients

Background: the main therapy for head and neck cancer is radiation, and one of the toxic effects of radiation is radiation dermatitis. aloe vera is a species of succulent plant of the genus aloe, widely used in cosmetic and skin care products, as well as daikon (raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus), which is high in antioxidants. objectives: the present study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of aloe vera and daikon gel combination in head and neck cancer patients to prevent radiation-induced dermatitis. methods: a cohort study was conducted with eligible subjects, all head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation therapy selected in consecutive sampling. samples were divided into two groups; either received aloe vera and daikon combination gel (study group) or baby oil (control induced dermatitis (rid) were observed. results: a total of 44 patients were grouped into intervention (aloe vera-daikon gel) and control (baby oil) groups. after ten radiotherapies (rt) sessions, the intervention group had a lower percentage of grade 1 rid (35% vs. 91.7%, control: 65% grade 2 rid, p < 0.001). after 20 rt sessions, 40% had no dermatitis, while all patients had rid in the control group (p = 0.061). after 30 rt sessions, the intervention group had a lower rid grade overall (gr 0: 5%, gr 1: 85%, gr 2: 10%) compared to the control group (gr 1: 33.3%, gr 2: 54.3%, gr 3: 8.3%, p = 0.002). after 35 rt sessions, the intervention group also had a lower rid grade overall (gr 0: 5%, gr 1: 65%, gr 2: 20%, gr 3: 10%) compared to the control group (gr 1: 8.3%, gr 2: 37.5%, gr 3: 45.8%, gr 4: 8.3%, p < 0.001). conclusions: the combination of aloe vera and daikon gel showed promising results in reducing the severity of radiation-induced dermatitis for head and neck cancer patients.