Wheatgrass extract as a topical skin agent for acute radiation skin
toxicity in breast radiation therapy: A randomized controlled trial.
Wheat J., Currie G., Coulter K. J. Aust. Trad. Med. Soc. 2006;12(3):135--137)
The effects of acute radiation skin toxicity (ARST) that are seen in most patients undergoing breast irradiation vary in nature and degree, but often include severely painful and unsightly lesions, sometimes necessitating the termination of treatment. Few satisfactory results have been achieved in the many endeavors to treat these lesions. However, recently, wheatgrass extract, (
Dr Wheatgrass Skin Recovery Cream) a topical anti-inflammatory immunomodulator, substance P inhibitor, topical hemostatic agent, and stimulant of fibroblastic activity with a wide range of healing properties, has been attracting attention. It is also inexpensive.
A pilot study conducted at Charles Sturt University, NSW, Australia, as a prospective randomized, blinded, controlled trial to determine whether wheatgrass extract applied before and during radiation therapy (max. primary site dose, 50 Gy) for mammary carcinoma would protect the skin of the breast sufficiently to reduce morbidity and improve tolerance. In the treatment modification group, wheatgrass extract was employed, while current best practice (sorbolene cream) was used for the controls), but patients were blinded as to their treatment group.
ARST is known to be associated with patient weight and breast size, and this tendency was reflected in the two groups in this study, the wheatgrass group being greater in both measures. In the wheatgrass group, a statistically significant delay was achieved regarding the severity of ARST; there was also some significant improvement in QOL. Both of these differences are important in cases where patient compliance is threatened. The findings point to a potential role of wheatgrass extract in the management of this distressing condition.
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