Efficiency of honey–grape blend in reducing radiation-induced mucositis in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Magaisha Edward Kyomo; Nelson Mpumi; Elingarami Sauli; Salum J Lidenge; Magaisha Edward Kyomo; Nelson Mpumi; Elingarami Sauli; Salum J Lidenge

doi:10.3934/medsci.2025007

AIMS Medical Science

2025, Volume 12, Issue 1: 90-104. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2025007

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Research article

Efficiency of honey–grape blend in reducing radiation-induced mucositis in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

1.
School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
2.
Ocean Road Cancer Institute, P.O Box 3592, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
3.
School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
4.
Department of Clinical Oncology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Received: 18 December 2024 Revised: 17 February 2025 Accepted: 24 February 2025 Published: 12 March 2025

Objectives
This study assessed the efficacy of a honey–grape blend in reducing the severity and onset of radiation oral mucositis (ROM) in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral mucositis is an acute side effect caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the head and neck region. ROM affects patients' quality of life and treatment expenses. Various pharmaceutical and natural remedies, such as sucralfate, aloe vera, and amifostine are used to mitigate the effects of ROM. However, the available modalities' efficacy is low and is associated with many side effects.
Materials and methods
This cohort study was conducted at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute and Besta Polyclinic in Tanzania. The study included 73 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated from March 2024 to August 2024. The World Health Organization mucositis grading system was used to assess patients' progress weekly. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27.
Results
Delayed onset (15% Grade 3 for the honey–grape group and 45% Grade 3 for the control group at 28 days) and reduced the severity of ROM (only 20% Grade 3 with no Grade 4 for the honey–grape group while for the control group, it was 25% Grade 3 and 20% Grade 4 at 45 days) (p-value < 0.001). Body weight changes at starting and after completion of radiotherapy were observed (2.65 kg average weight loss for the control group and 1.8 kg, 0.45 kg weight gain for the honey group and honey–grape blend group). Prevalence between genders was 62% males and 38% females.
Conclusions
Honey and honey blended with grapes can minimize the severity and delay the onset of ROM in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. More studies are needed, since no study has been conducted addressing the efficacy of honey–grape blends in reducing ROM severity.
- mucositis,
- grapes,
- honey,
- head and neck,
- cancer,
- radiotherapy
Citation: Magaisha Edward Kyomo, Nelson Mpumi, Elingarami Sauli, Salum J Lidenge. Efficiency of honey–grape blend in reducing radiation-induced mucositis in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma[J]. AIMS Medical Science, 2025, 12(1): 90-104. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2025007

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Abstract

Objectives

This study assessed the efficacy of a honey–grape blend in reducing the severity and onset of radiation oral mucositis (ROM) in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral mucositis is an acute side effect caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the head and neck region. ROM affects patients' quality of life and treatment expenses. Various pharmaceutical and natural remedies, such as sucralfate, aloe vera, and amifostine are used to mitigate the effects of ROM. However, the available modalities' efficacy is low and is associated with many side effects.

Materials and methods

This cohort study was conducted at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute and Besta Polyclinic in Tanzania. The study included 73 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated from March 2024 to August 2024. The World Health Organization mucositis grading system was used to assess patients' progress weekly. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27.

Results

Delayed onset (15% Grade 3 for the honey–grape group and 45% Grade 3 for the control group at 28 days) and reduced the severity of ROM (only 20% Grade 3 with no Grade 4 for the honey–grape group while for the control group, it was 25% Grade 3 and 20% Grade 4 at 45 days) (p-value < 0.001). Body weight changes at starting and after completion of radiotherapy were observed (2.65 kg average weight loss for the control group and 1.8 kg, 0.45 kg weight gain for the honey group and honey–grape blend group). Prevalence between genders was 62% males and 38% females.

Conclusions

Honey and honey blended with grapes can minimize the severity and delay the onset of ROM in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. More studies are needed, since no study has been conducted addressing the efficacy of honey–grape blends in reducing ROM severity.

Acknowledgments

The study was partially funded by the Ministry of Health of Tanzania. The author confirms that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethical approval of the research and informed consent

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ocean Road Cancer Institute Ethical Committee (on behalf of the National Institute for Medical Research, NIMR). All participants provided written informed consent and assent, as appropriate, prior to study enrollment.

Conflict of interest

The author declares that no competing financial or personal interests/relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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