Efficacies and side effects of medicinal plants used by patients with cancer in Morocco: A retrospective treatment-outcome study

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMedicinal plants have long been used as traditional medicines in Morocco. Patients with cancer frequently use medicinal plants, with a frequency ranging from 11% to 39%. No studies have evaluated these patients in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. Aim of studyWe investigated the beneficial and adverse effects of medicinal plants used by patients with cancer in this region. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of the outcomes of traditional treatment with medicinal plants (retrospective treatment-outcome study: RTO) in 194 patients with cancer at the regional oncology centre of Béni Mellal. ResultsBeneficial effects were reported by 39% of patients. All users of the seeds of Prunus armeniaca L. reported beneficial effects (100%), followed by Curcuma longa L. (50%). We did not observe any significant difference in efficacies between the most commonly used plants (P > 0.05). Patients with cancer who had a low socioeconomic level experienced greater benefits from herbal medicines (p < 0.05). The prevalence of adverse effects was 16%. Juniperus oxycedrus L. was perceived as the most toxic plant (13 patients), as it induced significantly greater toxicity than the other plants (P < 0.05). Patients with a cancer duration of more than 12 months reported more adverse effects (p = 0.05). ConclusionsThe frequency of beneficial effects was higher than that of adverse effects. Health professionals should be aware of these effects in the process of therapeutic education. Preclinical and clinical research are considered necessary for the in-depth evaluation of the efficacies and toxicities of certain plants that have shown toxic or therapeutic potential.