title: Preventing and Therapeutic Effect of Propolis in Radiotherapy Induced Mucositis of Head and Neck Cancers: A Triple-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our goal is assessing the preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Javadzadeh Bolouri
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Atessa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pakfetrat
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Arghavan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tonkaboni
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Amir
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Aledavood
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Research and Biotechnology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fathi Najafi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Delavarian
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Med and Public Health, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Taghi
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Shakeri
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Azade
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohtashami
keywords: Cancer; Mouthwashes; Mucositis; Propolis; Radiotherapy