{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]],"date-time":"2026-10-16T01:23:09Z","timestamp":1792113789880,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]],"date-time":"2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1743552000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Pharmacol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>Curcuma longa<\/jats:italic> L. (turmeric, Zingiberaceae) has been traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antimicrobial properties. These characteristics have made it a key component in managing inflammatory and ulcerative conditions like oral mucositis (OM). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various pharmaceutical formulations of <jats:italic>C. longa<\/jats:italic> or curcumin in reducing the OM severity, incidence and associated pain in patients undergoing chemotherapy and\/or radiotherapy for cancer.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, registered in PROSPERO (#CRD42024504111). Searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Studies comparing <jats:italic>C. longa<\/jats:italic> or curcumin with placebo in cancer patients experiencing oral mucositis, reporting outcomes such as the World Health Organization Oral Mucositis Grading Scale, pain scores (visual analogue scale), or OM incidence were included. Risk ratios and weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Six studies with 159 patients (mean age \u223c50\u00a0years, 40% women) were included. <jats:italic>C. longa<\/jats:italic> extracts, curcumin, or nanocurcumin were administered in capsules, mouthwash, or gel formulations. The pooled analysis showed significant reductions in WHO scores and oral pain compared to placebo. OM incidence decreased by 6% overall, with a notable 37%-reduction observed in patients using curcumin-containing mouthwash during radiotherapy alone. Subgroup analyses revealed consistent benefits across all oncological treatments.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>C. longa<\/jats:italic>, curcumin, or nanocurcumin in various formulations, effectively reduce OM severity and pain while curcumin-containing mouthwash reduced OM incidence in cancer patients undergoing treatment.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Systematic Review Registration<\/jats:title><jats:p>identifier CRD 42024504111.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fphar.2025.1560729","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]],"date-time":"2025-04-02T05:15:07Z","timestamp":1743570907000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":14,"title":["Efficacy of different pharmaceutical forms of Curcuma longa or curcumin in reducing oral mucositis severity and incidence in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Pedro de Padua G.","family":"Amatto","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lucas","family":"Chaves","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Suzelei de Castro","family":"Fran\u00e7a","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jos\u00e9 Carlos Tavares","family":"Carvalho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fabio","family":"Carmona","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ana Maria Soares","family":"Pereira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"807","DOI":"10.1021\/mp700113r","article-title":"Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promises","volume":"4","author":"Anand","year":"2007","journal-title":"Mol. Pharm."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1590\/s2175-97902022000xe20114","article-title":"Curcuma longa extract protects against 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters","volume":"58","author":"Ara\u00fajo","year":"2022","journal-title":"Braz. J. Pharm. Sci."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"159","DOI":"10.1017\/S0022215120000316","article-title":"Role of turmeric extract in minimising mucositis in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell cancer: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial","volume":"134","author":"Arun","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Laryngol. Otol."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"166","DOI":"10.1111\/scd.12358","article-title":"Oral administration of nanomicelle curcumin in the prevention of radiotherapy\u2010induced mucositis in head and neck cancers","volume":"39","author":"Delavarian","year":"2019","journal-title":"Special Care Dent."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1160","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox13101160","article-title":"The effectiveness of curcumin in treating oral mucositis related to radiation and chemotherapy: a systematic review","volume":"13","author":"Dipalma","year":"2024","journal-title":"Antioxidants"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"46","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0609.2011.01724.x","article-title":"Degree of mucositis and duration of neutropenia are the major risk factors for early post\u2010transplant febrile neutropenia and severe bacterial infections after reduced\u2010intensity conditioning","volume":"88","author":"Facchini","year":"2012","journal-title":"Eur. J. Haematol."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1845","DOI":"10.1200\/JCO.2000.18.9.1845","article-title":"Alpha hemolytic streptococcal infection during intensive treatment for acute myeloid leukemia: a report from the children\u2019s cancer group study CCG-2891","volume":"18","author":"Gamis","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Clin. Oncol."},{"key":"B8","volume-title":"Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of interventions, version 6.5","author":"Higgins","year":"2022"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"76","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1742-481X.2011.00848.x","article-title":"Acceleration of wound repair by curcumin in the excision wound of mice exposed to different doses of fractionated \u03b3 radiation","volume":"9","author":"Jagetia","year":"2012","journal-title":"Int. Wound J."},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"367","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joim.2018.07.001","article-title":"Bioavailable curcumin formulations: a review of pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers","volume":"16","author":"Jamwal","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Integr. Med."},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101247","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctcp.2020.101247","article-title":"Turmeric supplementation improves the quality of life and hematological parameters in breast cancer patients on paclitaxel chemotherapy: a case series","volume":"41","author":"Kalluru","year":"2020","journal-title":"Complement. Ther. Clin. Pract."},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2019","DOI":"10.1002\/lary.20582","article-title":"Curcumin: a potential radio\u2010enhancer in head and neck cancer","volume":"119","author":"Khafif","year":"2009","journal-title":"Laryngoscope"},{"key":"B13","article-title":"Novel turmeric compound delivers much more curcumin to the blood","author":"Kiefer","year":"2007","journal-title":"Life Ext. Mag."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"395","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-011-1126-8","article-title":"Association of oral mucositis with quality of life and symptom clusters in patients with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy","volume":"20","author":"Kim","year":"2012","journal-title":"Support. Care Cancer"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jff.2015.04.026","article-title":"Enhanced absorption and pharmacokinetics of fresh turmeric (Curcuma Longa L) derived curcuminoids in comparison with the standard curcumin from dried rhizomes","volume":"17","author":"Krishnakumar","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Funct. Foods"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"lgz011","DOI":"10.1093\/jncimonographs\/lgz011","article-title":"Oral mucositis due to high-dose chemotherapy and\/or head and neck radiation therapy","volume":"2019","author":"Lalla","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Natl. Cancer Inst. Monogr."},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"311","DOI":"10.1007\/s11864-022-00959-z","article-title":"Pathogenesis and amelioration of radiation-induced oral mucositis","volume":"23","author":"Lee","year":"2022","journal-title":"Curr. Treat. Options Oncol."},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"269","DOI":"10.7508\/ijrr.2015.03.011","article-title":"The effect of \u201cCurcuma Longa\u201d topical gel on radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer","volume":"13","author":"Mansourian","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Radiat. Res."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"210","DOI":"10.1186\/s13643-016-0384-4","article-title":"Rayyan-a web and mobile app for systematic reviews","volume":"5","author":"Ouzzani","year":"2016","journal-title":"Syst. Rev."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"n71","DOI":"10.1136\/BMJ.N71","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"354","DOI":"10.1186\/s12885-023-10730-8","article-title":"Efficacy of curcumin for amelioration of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a preliminary randomized controlled clinical trial","volume":"23","author":"Ramezani","year":"2023","journal-title":"BMC Cancer"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"718","DOI":"10.4103\/ijdr.IJDR_822_18","article-title":"Effectiveness of curcumin mouthwash on radiation-induced oral mucositis among head and neck cancer patients: a triple-blind, pilot randomised controlled trial","volume":"31","author":"Shah","year":"2020","journal-title":"Indian J. Dent. Res."},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"353","DOI":"10.1055\/s-2006-957450","article-title":"Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers","volume":"64","author":"Shoba","year":"1998","journal-title":"Planta Med."},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2103","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1097-0142(19990515)85:10<2103::AID-CNCR2>3.0.CO;2-0","article-title":"Validation of a new scoring system for the assessment of clinical trial research of oral mucositis induced by radiation or chemotherapy. Mucositis Study Group","volume":"85","author":"Sonis","year":"1999","journal-title":"Cancer"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2918","DOI":"10.1002\/cam4.1221","article-title":"Common oral complications of head and neck cancer radiation therapy: mucositis, infections, saliva change, fibrosis, sensory dysfunctions, dental caries, periodontal disease, and osteoradionecrosis","volume":"6","author":"Sroussi","year":"2017","journal-title":"Cancer Med."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"415","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpharm.2016.07.027","article-title":"Bioavailability of curcumin and curcumin glucuronide in the central nervous system of mice after oral delivery of nano-curcumin","volume":"511","author":"Szymusiak","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. J. Pharm."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"276","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.leu.2403233","article-title":"Role of curcumin and the inhibition of NF-kappaB in the onset of chemotherapy-induced mucosal barrier injury","volume":"18","author":"van\u2019t Land","year":"2004","journal-title":"Leukemia"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1801","DOI":"10.1080\/14656566.2016.1217993","article-title":"Pharmacotherapy for the management of cancer regimen-related oral mucositis","volume":"17","author":"Villa","year":"2016","journal-title":"Expert Opin. Pharmacother."},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1363202","DOI":"10.3389\/fphar.2024.1363202","article-title":"Efficacy of turmeric in the treatment of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"15","author":"Wu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Pharmacol."},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"740","DOI":"10.1080\/01635581.2020.1776884","article-title":"Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of curcumin on treatment-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"73","author":"Zhang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Nutr. Cancer"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1016\/j.oraloncology.2012.09.015","article-title":"Nutraceuticals as new treatment approaches for oral cancer \u2013 I: curcumin","volume":"49","author":"Zlotogorski","year":"2013","journal-title":"Oral Oncol."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Pharmacology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphar.2025.1560729\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]],"date-time":"2025-04-02T05:15:22Z","timestamp":1743570922000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphar.2025.1560729\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]]},"references-count":31,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fphar.2025.1560729"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fphar.2025.1560729","relation":{},"ISSN":["1663-9812"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1663-9812","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]]},"article-number":"1560729"}}