Exploring the Effects of Propolis on Oral Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Oral mucositis (OM) refers to an erythematous, shared, and painful complication resulting from chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Aim: This study aimed to discuss OM in chemotherapy patients and the use of propolis in medicine inside the hospital and before preparing for or during chemotherapy.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across three databases, adhering strictly to the inclusion criteria of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to maintain research integrity and relevance. The methodological approach was guided by the PRISMA guidelines to ensure systematic rigor and transparency in reporting. To evaluate the quality of the included studies, the Evidence- Based Nursing (EBN) approach specific to randomized trials was employed. Meta-analytical procedures were conducted using a fixed random-effects model, allowing for the synthesis of evidence across studies with the calculation of odds ratios to quantify treatment effects.

Results: The meta-analysis incorporated seven studies assessing the efficacy of propolis in the treatment of oral mucositis among patients undergoing chemotherapy. The results demonstrated a marked improvement in the condition of patients receiving propolis, with a statistically significant odd ratio (OR) of 0.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18-0.70; P = 0.003). However, the analysis did present some asymmetry (z = -1.5970, P = 0.1103) with a limit estimation of b = 0.3653 [CI: -0.7395, 1.4702], indicating a potential trend towards the effectiveness of propolis, though these results did not achieve statistical significance.

Conclusion: The present findings suggest a promising but not yet definitively proven benefit of propolis in managing oral mucositis.