Aloe Vera and Reduced Oral Mucositis Severity

Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 2 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies (2 beneficial, 1 neutral), aloe vera shows moderate evidence for a small beneficial effect in reducing oral mucositis severity among cancer patients receiving treatment. One meta-analysis (n=131) reported a statistically significant small benefit, while a 2023 systematic review also found significant moderate-sized effects in head and neck cancer patients; however, a 2025 systematic review in pediatric oncology found no significant benefit. Dose, form, and study duration were not consistently reported across studies.

Studied populations: cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (including head and neck cancer patients)

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive in direction (2 of 3 studies beneficial) — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). The single neutral study was a systematic review in pediatric oncology, suggesting potential population-specific differences in effectiveness.

Generated Jun 12, 2026

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityReported
Ten interventions were found to have some benefit with regard to preventing or reducing the severity of mucositis associated with cancer treatment.
from: Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment.

3 of 3 papers

Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment.
- 2011-04-13
- Meta-Analysis · n = 131
- The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2021(3)
- - Helen V Worthington
  - Jan E Clarkson
  - Gemma Bryan
  - Susan Furness
  - Anne-Marie Glenny
  - Anne Littlewood
  - Martin G McCabe
  - Stefan Meyer
  - Tasneem Khalid
- PubMed: 21491378
- DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd000978.pub5
1 Insight on
- Reduced Oral Mucositis Severity
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Clinical
Ten interventions, where there was more than one trial in the meta-analysis, showed some statistically significant evidence of a benefit (albeit sometimes weak) for either preventing or reducing the severity of mucositis, compared to either a placebo or no treatment. These ten interventions were: aloe vera, amifostine, cryotherapy, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), intravenous glutamine, honey, keratinocyte growth factor, laser, polymixin/tobramycin/amphotericin (PTA) antibiotic pastille/paste and sucralfate.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Nutritional and Supplemental Interventions for Prevention and Treatment of Oral Mucositis in Pediatric Oncology.
- 2025-11-11
- Systematic Review
- Nutrients 17(22)
- - Razvan Mihai Horhat
  - Alexandru Alexandru
  - Cristiana-Smaranda Ivan
  - Norberth-Istvan Varga
  - Madalina-Ianca Suba
  - Elena Ciurariu
  - Monica Susan
  - Razvan Susan
  - Adrian Cote
- PubMed: 41305573
- DOI: 10.3390/nu17223521
4 Insights on
- Reduced Oral Mucositis Severity
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Interventions tested included systemic supplements (e.g., glutamine, zinc, and bovine colostrum), topically applied agents (e.g., honey, vitamin E, Aloe vera, and olive oil), and nutrient-containing rinses (e.g., chamomile, Caphosol, and Traumeel S). Honey-based interventions showed promising outcomes.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Effectiveness of natural-based products for radiation-induced oral mucositis therapy: A systematic review.
- 2023
- Systematic Review
- Cancer treatment and research communications 36
- - Zulfa Fidi Pranadwista
  - Nanan Nur'aeny
- PubMed: 37209466
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2023.100720
5 Insights on
- Reduced Oral Mucositis Severity
- High evidence
- Clinical
Eight of the twelve included articles showed significant effectiveness against RIOM in various parameters, such as a decrease in severity
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes

Aloe Vera and Reduced Oral Mucositis Severity

Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment.

Nutritional and Supplemental Interventions for Prevention and Treatment of Oral Mucositis in Pediatric Oncology.

Effectiveness of natural-based products for radiation-induced oral mucositis therapy: A systematic review.