Efficacy of Propolis in the Prevention of Oral Mucositis in Patients Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Oral mucositis is one of the most common symptoms in adults with a hematological cancer who are receiving high-dose chemotherapy. Propolis is a complementary and alternative method used to prevent oral mucositis in these patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of propolis in the prevention of oral mucositis in patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Methods: A total of 64 patients, 32 in the propolis group and 32 in the control group, were enrolled in this prospective randomized controlled experimental study. Whereas the standard oral care treatment protocol was administered to the control group, aqueous propolis extract was applied to the propolis intervention group in addition to the standard oral care treatment protocol. Data collection forms included a Descriptive Information Form, the Karnofsky Performance Scale, the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric, Patient Follow-up Form, the World Health Organization Oral Toxicity Scale, and the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

Results: The incidence and duration of oral mucositis were statistically significantly lower in the propolis intervention group than the control group, and the onset of oral mucositis and grade 2 to 3 oral mucositis occurred later ( P < .05).

Conclusion: Propolis mouthwash combined with standard oral care treatment delayed the onset of oral mucositis and decreased its incidence and the number of days it lasted.

Implications for practice: Mouthwash with propolis can be used as a nursing intervention to decrease oral mucositis and its symptoms in hematological cancer patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy.