The use of medicinal plants by cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: A cross-sectional study at a referral oncology hospital in Morocco

Background and aimThe high cost of cancer treatment and adverse side effects of drug therapy remain major health issues worldwide. Medicinal plants (MP) can be used to promote new, safe, and effective anticancer medications. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MP use among cancer patients, investigate its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors, and provide available information about the species used.Materials and methodsThis was a cross-sectional study among 508 patients undergoing chemotherapy. Sociodemographic data and information on MPs used in cancer treatment were collected using face-to-face interviews and a questionnaire. Clinical data were obtained from the hospital database. Ethnobotanical indices, including relative citation frequency, informed consensus factor, and fidelity level, were determined for data analysis.Results43.2% of patients used MPs. Of these, 66.3% did not disclose information about MPs to their physicians, 54% experienced improvements, and 6% reported undesirable side effects associated with using MPs. There was a significant association of MPs use with disease duration (<i>P </i>= 0.037) and cancer type (<i>P </i>< 0.001). 27 plant species belonging to 17 families were identified, with Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, and Fabaceae being the most common. The most used species were <i>Origanum compactum benth</i>., <i>Marrubium vulgare</i> L., <i>Trigonella foenum-graecum</i> L., <i>Aloysia citriodora</i>, and <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> L.ConclusionThis study showed a high prevalence of MPs use among patients undergoing chemotherapy. Although further studies are needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of commonly used species, our findings may be used to inform evidence-based guidelines, promote communication between cancer patients and healthcare providers, and develop new medicinal plants.