According to a new study by Stanford University School of Medicine, a compound found in citrus oil may help relieve dry mouth symptoms caused by radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients. The oil cells of citrus peel are rich in essential oils, about 0.5% to 2% of the fresh weight of the peel. The main ingredient of citrus essential oil is d-limonene (d-Limonene), and the main role for radioactive dry mouth is d-limonene.
This compound, called d-limonene, protects saliva cells of mice exposed to radiation therapy without weakening the effects of radiation on tumors. Researchers led by Julie Saiki have also shown that oral d-limonene can be transported to the salivary glands of the body. A series of experiments with mouse cells exposed to radiation showed that d-limonene reduced the concentration of aldehydes in adult and salivary stem and progenitor cells. Even when cells are treated for several weeks after radiation exposure, d-limonene can still improve its recovery ability, repair glandular structure and produce saliva. Mice receiving d-limonene and exposed to radiation also produced more saliva than mice not receiving d-limonene and exposed to radiation.
Cirka 40% af patienter med hoved- og halscancer, der gennemgår strålebehandling, lider af xerostomi, hvilket ikke kun er ubehageligt, men også gør det vanskeligt for patienterne at tale og sluge, og det er mere sandsynligt, at de lider af mundpine eller tænder, og i nogle tilfælde tilfælde Kan forårsage tab af tænder. Desuden, selvom der kan være noget opsving i de første par år efter behandling, vil spyt, når spyt bliver svækket, normalt påvirkes for livet. Efterfølgende forskning er i gang, og hvis det virker, vil stoffet blive brugt sikkert til at forhindre mundtørhed på lang sigt og gøre det lettere for patienterne at tolerere strålebehandling efter behandling og forbedre livskvaliteten.
