Effect of Achillea millefolium Mouthwash on Oral Mucositis Induced by Chemotherapy in AML Patients

Oral mucositis is a chemotherapy adverse effect. Because of anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antimicrobial effect of Achillea millefolium, the current research assessed the effectiveness of Achillea millefolium mouthwash on prevention and treatment of oral mucositis, induced by chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. From 29 patients, who received induction or consolidation regimen, 14 in the intervention and 15 in the control groups, were randomly assigned in this study. The intervention group gargled 10 mL of Achillea millefolium mouthwash plus 15 mL of chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day for 20 days from the first day of chemotherapy. The control group used only chlorhexidine mouthwash. Patients were assessed at baseline 5, 10, 15, and 20 days of the study. Oral mucositis grade improved during treatment, which was significant on the 10th and 20th day (P = 0.021 and 0.002, respectively). Comparing severe and mild mucositis, the results showed that the intervention group had mild mucositis whereas the control group had the severe form (P = 0.018). The intervention group showed reduction in both pain occurrence and painkiller consumption on day 20th (P = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Although Achillea millefolium mouthwash was not effective in prophylaxis of mucositis occurrence, it remarkably improved oral mucositis severity.