Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 1997; 2: 195
Radiation-induced normal tissue lesions may develop in some patients following radiotherapy for cancer treatment or after exposures resulting from radiation accidents. Unfortunately, there are no reliable methods for the treatment or prevention of radiation-induced skin lesions. Classical treatments such as corticortherapy or use of cicatrising agents are inefficient in preventing the development of radiation injury. The object of this study was to investigate the efficacy of natural substances in the treatment of radiation-induced skin lesions.
The incidence and latency period for the development of acute radiation-induced damage was assessed in a biological model and patients with radiation-induced skin lesions. The effectiveness of the topical application of Lipochromin (a ß-carotene based drug) or oral application of evening primrose oil (EPO) was assessed.
When the data were analysed by probit analysis it appeared that both Lipochromin and EPO reduced the incidence and duration of moist desquamation. Lipochromin appeared to be effective after smaller radiation doses but it had no effect at higher radiation doses. The effect of EPO appeared to be the same at both high and low levels of radiation dose.
Topical application of Lipochromin or oral administration of EPO reduced the incidence and the duration of radiation-induced moist desquamation of the skin.
