Efficacy of Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) in the Prevention and/or Treatment of Oral Mucositis: Umbrella Review

Introduction: This study provides an overview of the systematic reviews on the efficacy of Matricaria recutita in the prevention and/or treatment of oral mucositis (OM) in patients undergoing oncological treatments in the head and neck region. Methods: Searches were conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards and registered in Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021272283). The quality of the studies was analysed through the evaluation of Glenny scale and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR 2). Results: Initially, 3,416 studies were evaluated for relevance, leading to the inclusion of 12 systematic reviews that specifically addressed the efficacy of M. recutita for the prevention and treatment of OM in oncological settings. Quantitatively, 75% of the systematic reviews were rated as high quality based on the Glenny Scale, indicating robust methodological design. However, a contrasting perspective from the AMSTAR 2 assessment highlighted that only one of these reviews (8.33%) met the criteria for high methodological quality. This discrepancy suggests significant variability in the quality assurance measures applied across the studies. The effectiveness of M recutita from potentially beneficial to inconclusive, with the majority suggesting that while the herb shows promise as a treatment option, the existing evidence is not sufficiently robust and is marked by considerable conflict due to methodological limitations and variability in study outcomes. Discussion/Conclusions: The research underscores the need for additional randomized clinical trials to confirm the potential benefits of M. recutita in managing OM in managing OM.