Aloe vera for Prevention of Acute Radiation Proctitis in Colorectal Cancer a Preliminary Randomized, Placebo‑Controlled Clinical Trial

Rezai Ghaleno, Hassan and Salehifar, Ebrahim and Sahebnasagh, Adele and Saghaf, Fatemeh and Ghasemi, Arash (2021) Aloe vera for Prevention of Acute Radiation Proctitis in Colorectal Cancer a Preliminary Randomized, Placebo‑Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer.

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Abstract

Objective To examine the preventive efects of Aloe vera in colorectal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Material and Method Twenty colorectal cancer patients, who received radiation, were randomized to receive Aloe vera 3% or placebo ointment, 1 g twice daily for 6 weeks. At weekly visits, acute radiation proctitis (ARP) was evaluated by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and clinical presentation criteria as the primary endpoint. We also evaluated secondary endpoints of quality of life, psychosocial status, by applying Hospital Anxiety-Depression (HAD) Scale and laboratory measures of quantitative measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker for systemic infammation. Results There was a signifcant improvement in the symptom index (before treatment vs. after treatment with Aloe vera) for diarrhea (p = 0.029, median score: 0.5 vs. 0.001). The overall primary and secondary outcomes favored Aloe group, while the measures of toxicity did not achieve a statistical signifcant diference. The lifestyle score improved signifcantly with A. vera (p = 004), and they also had a lower depression score in HAD scale (p = 0.008). Furthermore, quantitative CRP decreased signifcantly during the course of treatment with Aloe vera. Conclusion The use of topical formulation of Aloe vera 3% diminishes the severity of ARP in colorectal cancer patients.

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