Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants indicated by the Brazilian public health system in treating the collateral effects induced by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and chemoradiotherapy: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE

This study, through a systematic review, evaluated the therapeutic effect of medicinal plants that were of interest to the Unified Health System (SUS) in treating the side effects induced by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in cancer patients.

METHODOLOGY

According to the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Lilacs and Scopus databases from January 2009 to December 2018, using the groups of descriptors (Cancer OR Neoplasia OR Tumor) and (controlled clinical trial OR randomized clinical trial) associated with the scientific names of the 71 medicinal plants described in RENISUS. The study is registered in PROSPERO CRD42019129927.

RESULTS

Of the 29 articles selected, only 17 demonstrated the therapeutic potential of plants included in RENISUS to prevent or treat the side effects induced by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, either solely or through an adjuvant effect from drugs already used in the medical clinic. The two plant-based therapies that had the most studies exploring their therapeutic potential on side effects were Zingiber officinale and Aloe vera.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that some plants listed in RENISUS have shown preventive and curative potential on side effects induced by conventional treatments in patients with different types of cancer. Therefore, the use of scientifically proven herbal products, in conjunction with conventional therapies, can contribute to a better quality of life in cancer patients undergoing conventional treatments.