preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis of head and neck cancers: a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background: mucositis is one of the acute complications of radiotherapy which can ulcerate oral mucosa and cause severe pain and discomfort which can affect oral normal function. propolis is a natural source of flavenoid which has antiulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, healing and anti-inflammatory effects. using such an affordable compound without any bad smell or taste that has reasonable price can help the radiotherapy undergoing patients. objectives: our goal is assessing the preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. patients and methods: in a randomized triple blind clinical trial, 20 patient were selected randomly to swish and swallow 15 ml of water based extract of propolis mouth wash 3 times a day in the case group (n = 10) and 15 ml placebo mouth wash in control group (n = 10). we use nic-ctc scale for determining mucositis grading. results: we use t-test, man-whitney, chi-square, and friedman as analyzing tests. case group had significantly (p < 0.05) lower grade of mucositis in all of the follow-ups, but xerostomia is not significantly different in two groups (p > 0.05). conclusions: this is a pilot study which shows water based extract of propolis efficiently prevents and heals radiotherapy induced mucositis.