A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Iranian Herbal Medicines (Ginger, Chamomile, and Mint) in the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Background: Chemotherapy, which is the primary therapeutic approach widely used in cancer treatment, causes various complications, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The present study aimed to determine the effects of Iranian herbal medicines (ginger, chamomile, and mint) and phytoestrogens on controlling the side effects of chemotherapy in patients.Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effects of Iranian herbal medicines (ginger, chamomile, and mint) and phytoestrogens on controlling the side effects of chemotherapy in patients.Methods: The search strategy included the use of international electronic sources, such as ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, and national electronic sources, such as (SID.ir and Magiran) scientific databases, systematically and without a time limit until January ۱, ۲۰۲۱. The quality of enrolled articles was assessed using the Jadad Scale. Ginger, chamomile, and mints affecting nausea and vomiting were used as keywords.Results: Five studies were included in this systematic review. Considering the moderate heterogeneity in the results of studies on the effect of ginger on nausea (P=۰.۰۲۲; I۲=۶۸%) and vomiting (P=۰.۰۸; I۲=۵۴%, ۵۴), a random effects model was employed for data analysis. Based on the results of the meta-analysis, the effect of ginger on the reduction of nausea [standard mean difference=-۰.۴۶; (۹۵%CI=-۰.۹۱-۰.۰۱; P=۰.۰۴)] and vomiting [standard mean difference= -۰.۵۹; (۹۵%CI= -۰.۹۶-۰.۲۱; P=۰.۰۲۲)] was due to effective chemotherapy when comparing with the controls. Moreover, phytoestrogens were more effective in controlling vomiting and nausea in the experimental group [standard mean difference=-۰.۵۷; (۹۵%CI: -۰.۸۲-۰.۳۱; P<۰.۰۰۱)]Results: Five Studies included in this systematic review. Due to the moderate heterogeneity cross the results of ginger studies on nausea (P = ۰.۰۲۲; I۲ = ۶۸%) and vomiting (P = ۰.۰۸; I۲ = ۵۴%), a random effects model was employed for data analysis. Based on results of meta-analysis, the ginger in reducing nausea [standard mean difference =-۰.۴۶; (۹۵%CI= -۰.۹۱-۰.۰۱; p = ۰.۰۴)] and vomiting [standard mean difference = -۰.۵۹; (۹۵%CI= -۰.۹۶-۰.۲۱; p = ۰.۰۲۲)] was due to effective chemotherapy when comparing with the controls. Based on the results of meta-analysis, phytoestrogens were more effective than in the control group [standard mean difference =-۰.۵۷; (۹۵%CI: -۰.۸۲-۰.۳۱; p <۰.۰۰۱)] in relief of vomiting and nausea.Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, ginger and phytoestrogens can improve nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients. Phytoestrogens can be a beneficial treatment to relive nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy.Keywords: Chamomile, Chemotherapy, Ginger, Mint, Nausea, Systematic review, Vomiting

کلیدواژه ها:

herbal medicine ، nausea ، vomiting ، chemotherapy ، Systematic review