Azar Fani Pakdel - Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Ashkan Hatami - Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Roham Salek - Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Ali Taghizadeh-Kermani - Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Seyed Alireza Javadinia - Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Ahmad Ghorbani - Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Objective: Previous clinical trials have suggested that herbal medicines can improve the quality of life (QOL) and survival of cancer patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of a polyherbal compound (PHC, formulated as syrup) consisting of Allium sativum, Curcuma longa,Panax ginseng, and Camellia sinensis on the quality of life (QOL) and survival in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers.Materials and Methods: A randomized placebo-controlled trial was carried out on patients with esophageal or gastric cancer who had finished their oncological treatments. The patients were randomly assigned to PHC (n=۲۰) or placebo (n=۲۰) group. The PHC group was treated with the PHC for ۱۲ weeks, while the placebo group received ۷۰% sucrose syrup. The QOL was assessed at baseline and after ۱۲ weeks. The patients were followed for up to ۲۴ months to determine overall survival.Results: PHC significantly improved cancer-related symptoms, physical performance, and psychological and social functions of the patients (p<۰.۰۵ for all cases). Death occurred in ۳۳ and ۲۲% of cases in the placebo and PHC group, respectively. The mean survival time was ۱۶.۸ months (۹۵% CI: ۱۲.۸-۲۰.۹) in the placebo group and ۲۱.۴ months (۹۵% CI: ۱۹.۱-۲۳.۶) in the PHC group but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion: The PHC improved cancer-related symptoms, physical performance, and psychological and social functions in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. It seems that this herbal compound has the potential to be used as a supplement in the management of cancer.

Camellia sinensis, Cancer, Curcuma longa, Allium sativum, Panax ginseng, Quality of life