You, W. C., Hsieh, C. C., & Huang, J. T. (2009). Effect of extracts from indigowood root (isatis indigotica fort.) on immune responses in radiation-induced mucositis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 15(7), 771-778.
To evaluate the effect of indigowood root on acute mucositis induced by radiation
Patients gargled with 30 mL of double distilled water with 0.5g indigowood root (IR) powder for three minutes and then swallowed before meals daily. Control group did same with 30 mL of NS.
The study was comprised of 20 patients; tx group N = 11, control group N = 9
Age Information: IR group mean age was 56.45 (SD = 10.57).
Control group mean was 57.89 (SD+ 13.11) P = 0.789. There were two females in the IR group and 0 in the control group. There were nine males in the IR group and nine in the control group.
Diagnosis Information: Nasopharyngeal cancer
Oropharyngeal, salivary gland
Single site Outpatient Tian Sheng Memorial Hospital Taiwan
Randomized controlled trial
IR group had reduced severity of mucositis (p = 0.01). anorexia (p = 0.002), and swallowing difficulty (p = 0.002). Serum interleukin-6 was significantly lower in the IR group during the first, fifth, and seventh weeks. Resting days were fewer in the IR group but not statistically significant; body weight decreased less in IR group (p = 0.06).
IR may be effective to reduce the severity of maximal mucositis and improved anorexia and swallowing ability. Indirubin may play a pharmaceutical role in improvement of radiation mucositis, anorexia, and difficulty in swallowing.
Small sample <30
Did not look at pain outcomes.
No information regarding adherence.
While this treatment may have some effect, the authors did not explore how the treatment was tolerated; patient adherence and side effects or medication interactions. Further research with this agent is warranted.