Dry mouth, a typical and uncomfortable side effect of radiation therapy, may be alleviated for cancer patients using a novel solution produced with natural citrus oil.
Researchers from Stanford University and the University of South Australia developed the formula. It combines limonene, a citrus oil present in oranges, lemons, and limes, with lipids, which are good fats.
When combined, they lessen typical adverse effects including dry mouth and stomach ache and greatly facilitate the body’s absorption of the oil.
The novel mixture was 180 times more soluble than pure limonene in laboratory tests. According to a news release, it enhanced the body’s absorption by almost 4000% in early experiments.
Up to 70% of patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer experience xerostomia, or dry mouth. It can reduce quality of life and make swallowing and speaking extremely difficult.
According to co-researcher Leah Wright, a professor of chemical engineering at The University of Adelaide in Australia, “Cancer patients undergoing radiation and other medical treatments frequently experience dry mouth, which not only prevents them from comfortably swallowing but can also have other negative and potentially life-threatening outcomes.”
Although limonene has long been known to aid in salivation, it required substantial dosages to be effective. These dosages frequently resulted in adverse effects including “citrus burps” and indigestion.
The new formula addresses that issue, according to lead author Clive Prestidge, who leads the University of South Australia’s Nanostructure and Drug Delivery research group.
“Limonene’s medicinal properties are widely recognized. It can help with digestion and intestinal function and is used as an anti-inflammatory, mood-enhancing, and antioxidant. However, despite its extensive use, its development as an oral medicine has been constrained by its volatility and poor solubility, according to a news release from Prestidge.
Wright went on to say that although limonene can be consumed directly, it is not well tolerated, particularly by people with dry mouth. “Plus, its poor absorption prevents it from effectively reaching the salivary glands — the target site,” she stated.
“This innovative and extremely powerful limonene-lipid combination may offer a straightforward, efficient oral remedy for dry mouth, giving cancer patients sustained comfort and relief, enhanced oral health, and an enhanced quality of life during a trying time,” Wright stated.
The International Journal of Pharmaceutics has published the results.
