Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Preparation vis-a-vis Beclomethasone Cream on Radiation Induced Skin Injury in Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients Receiving Radiotherapy or Chemoradiation in Oncology Department at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Radiation mitigators are the compounds whichcan minimize or ameliorate post irradiation-toxicity providedthey are administered before the onset of toxic symptoms.Hence, there is an urgent need to prevent harmful effectssecondary to ionizing radiations.Material and Methods: Sixty patients of Head and neckcarcinoma more than 18 years of age of either sex and willingto give informed consent were included in the study. In Group1, 30 patients received the Beclomethasone cream that wastopically applied from the day-1 of radiotherapy till 4-weeksafter completion of radiotherapy, whereas In Group-2, 30patients received the local application of the herbal paste fromthe day-1 of radiotherapy till 4-weeks after completion ofradiotherapy.Results: For measuring radiation-induced reactions, nonparametric test like chi-square test was applied and number ofpatients in different grades was calculated as per RTOGcriteria. Similarly for measuring radiation-induced mucosalreactions, chi-square test was applied and number of patientsin different grades was calculated as per RTOG-criteria.Conclusion: Present study revealed a marked beneficialeffects of herbal paste containing Azadirachta indica, aloevera, Ocimum sanctum and Curcuma longa on radiationinduced skin injury in patients with Head and neck carcinomaas compared to topical Beclomethasone cream.