Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and compounds in mitigating 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis: a systematic review

The chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is extensively utilised, however its its administration is extremely restricted due to its serious adverse effects, including intestinal mucositis, which can lead to the patient's death. Our objective was to identify plant options or derived utilised in the treatment of 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis and their efficacy.The study used the Preferred Report Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. 25 articles were selected from the databases and subjected to descriptive and bias analysis. A variety of medicinal plants or compounds were evaluated for their effects on intestinal mucositis triggered by 5-FU, but some stood out for more efficiently attenuating changes related to IM, including oxidative stress, inflammation, histology and clinical status of the animals. The data obtained could clarify and advance clinical trials. Treatment with medicinal plants can improve the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with 5-FU.