Biological effects of verbascoside and its anti-inflammatory activity on oral mucositis: a review of the literature.

Oral mucositis is among the most common tissue toxicities associated with both cytotoxic cancer regimens and head and neck radiotherapy. Current management of oral mucositis might comprise growth factors and cytokines, anti-inflammatory agents, anesthetics, analgesics, antimicrobial and coating agents, cryotherapy and mucosal protectants. Despite its long history and its impact on patients, there are currently no effective options for the prevention or treatment of mucositis. In recent years, more attention has been focused on the role of natural drugs. Verbascoside belongs to the phenylpropanoid glycosides family. Several biological properties have been described, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor and antioxidant. Verbascoside, particularly when in solution with polyvinylpyrrolidone and sodium hyaluronate, thanks to barrier effect, is useful in re-epithelialization and in reducing pain, oral mucositis score, burning and erythema.