Comparison of the Effects of Topical Ebselen, Propolis and Steroid Applications on Acute Radiodermatitis: Preliminary Results

Objective: Radiodermatitis is one of the early complications of radiotherapy (RT). In an acute setting, skin changes may vary from mild hyperemia to necrosis. This study aimed to compare the effects of vaseline, mometasone furoate (MF), propolis and ebselen on acute radiodermatitis and demonstrate an alternative topical treatment method that could be suggested to reduce adverse effects. Methods: A total of 40 male Wistar-Hannover rats were separated into 4 groups with 10 members to be applied with vaseline, steroid (0.01% MF), propolis (30%) and ebselen (1%), respectively. All groups received radiation at a dose of 3,000 cGy. Following the application of RT, topical applications were applied to all groups and repeated once daily until the experiment was terminated. Skin biopsies were taken from all subjects and examined in terms of erosion, epidermis atrophy, basal layer degeneration, neovascularisation, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) infiltration, loss of hair follicles and collagenisation. Results: The level of erosion was found to be significantly lower in the MF group. Epidermal atrophy was statistically significant lower in propolis and vaseline groups. Propolis significantly decreased basal layer degeneration compared to other treatments. Neovascularisation rates were significantly higher in vaseline and ebselen groups. No significant difference was found between groups in terms of PMNL, loss of hair follicles and collagenisation. Conclusion: Different agents with different mechanisms of action may be used according to the physiopathological progress of radiodermatitis. Data obtained in this study suggest that combined use of MF, propolis and ebselen according to erythema phases may mitigate the clinical progression of acute radiodermatitis.