Therapeutic effect of turmeric on radiodermatitis: A systematic review

Abstract

Radiodermatitis (RD) occurs in 95% of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. At present, there is no effective treatment for the management of this complication of radiotherapy. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a polyphenolic and biologically active natural compound with various pharmacological functions.The aim of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of curcumin supplementation for reducing RD severity. This review complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Cochrane library, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases. A total of seven studies comprising 473 cases and 552 controls were included in this review.Four studies demonstrated that curcumin supplementation had a beneficial effect on RD intensity. These data provide evidence for the potential clinical use of curcumin in supportive cancer care. Further large prospective and welldesigned trials are warranted to exactly determine the "real effective extract, supplemental form and dose of curcumin" for RD prevention and treatment of patients receiving radiotherapy.

Chemical Composition of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Ethanol Extract and Its Antimicrobial Activities and Free Radical Scavenging Capacities

“…In addition to enhancing flavor and color in food products, turmeric has applications to support human health, such as through anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial effects [8]. For example, ethnopharmacological studies have reported turmeric use as a medical herb for knee osteoarthritis [9], radiodermatitis [10], and cancers [11]. Curcumin has notable antibacterial properties, as it has been shown to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as suppress the formation of mixed-community biofilms and aid in the body's ability to clear bacteria [12,13].…”

Isolation and Phenotypic Microarray Profiling of Different Pseudomonas Strains Isolated from the Rhizosphere of Curcuma longa L.

“…Curcuma longa L., commonly known as turmeric, is a rhizomatous herb and one of the most prominent species of the Zingiberaceae family, frequently used as a spice in the daily cuisine of the Indian subcontinent [15]. In addition, since ancient times, turmeric has also been used as a traditional medicine in south Asian countries, due to its pharmaceutical importance, especially curcumin or sesquiterpenoids [15,16].…”

“…Curcuma longa L., commonly known as turmeric, is a rhizomatous herb and one of the most prominent species of the Zingiberaceae family, frequently used as a spice in the daily cuisine of the Indian subcontinent [15]. In addition, since ancient times, turmeric has also been used as a traditional medicine in south Asian countries, due to its pharmaceutical importance, especially curcumin or sesquiterpenoids [15,16]. For an example, curcumin one of the important constituents of turmeric have been extensively used to treat various human ailments such as bronchial asthma, jaundice, abdominal cramps, chronic hepatic diseases, melanoma, urinary tract infections, and many more [17][18][19].…”