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.
Aproximadamente el 40% de los pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello sometidos a radioterapia sufren de xerostomía, que no solo es incómoda, sino que también dificulta que los pacientes hablen y traguen, y es más probable que sufran de dolor en la boca o caries, y en algunos casos casos Puede provocar la pérdida de piezas dentales. Además, aunque puede haber cierta recuperación en los primeros años después del tratamiento, una vez que la saliva se deteriora, por lo general se verá afectada de por vida. Se están realizando investigaciones posteriores y, si funciona, el fármaco se utilizará de forma segura para prevenir la sequedad bucal a largo plazo y facilitar que los pacientes toleren la radioterapia después del tratamiento y mejorar la calidad de vida.
