Mumbai: Researchers at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology and Regional Cancer Centre at Thiruvananthapuram have developed an ayurvedic mouthwash for controlling radiation-associated mucositis in patients with oral cancer, minister for science and technology and earth sciences Kapil Sibal informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

He said, clinical studies funded by the department of ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy (AYUSH) has found the ayurvedic mouthwash effective in reducing the severity of oral mucositis in patients undergoing radical ratio therapy for oral cancers.

A total of 148 patients with oral cancer undergoing radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy were randomised - 75 in the study arm and 73 in the control.

Oral mucositis was observed to be significantly less in at day 15. Pain due to mucositis and the analgesic requirement was also observed to be significantly less, he said.

Production cost of the mouthwash in an experimental set-up has been estimated to be 65 paise per dose, excluding packaging and marketing costs. The commonly used drug to control mucositis called Amifostine (Ethyol) costs approximately Rs9,000 per dose (single injection half an hour before radiation).

However, repeated doses have to be taken during the course of the treatment, he said.

The investigators have filed a patent application for the mouthwash consisting of three commonly used medicinal herbs.