Enomoto, T.M., Johnson, T., Peterson, N., Homer, L., Walts, D., & Johnson, N. (2005). Combination glutathione and anthocyanins as an alternative for skin care during externalbeam radiation. American Journal of Surgery, 189, 627–631.
To evaluate if the topical application RayGel (contains glutathione and anthocyanin) decreases radiation dermatitis
Both groups received instruction in standard skin care and used aloe vera gel and vitamin E after treatment. Gel or placebo was applied to breasts one to three hours prior to radiation therapy. The placebo was a water-based gel.
The study used a prospective, placebo-controlled design.
Whole breast severity scores were lower with RayGel at 93.7% versus the placebo at 123%. The difference in the worst site score was not as pronounced; however, the RayGel Group was 14% less than that of the placebo group, at 39.2% and 45.5%, respectively. None of the findings were significant.
RayGel tended to be superior to the placebo, although significance could not be determined because of the small sample size.