Effect of Moringa oleifera Extract on Inflammatory Status in Cancer Patients with Aromatase-Induced Arthralgia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitor therapy is commonly used for breast cancer patients with characteristics of positive estrogen and progesterone receptors test without metastases. Thus, this kind of therapy generally gives side effects of aromatase-induced arthralgia (AIA). Moringa oleifera has a strong anti-inflammatory substance that has the potential to reduce inflammation and pain in a patient with AIA. AIM: This study aims to assess the effect of M. oleifera extract administration on pain response and inflammatory status in breast cancer with aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia patients. METHODS: Forty-two patients breast cancer patients with estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive in Dr. Kariadi General Hospital were assessed for pain response and inflammatory status before and after the treatment with M. oleifera leaf extract for one month. Assessment of pain response is using the Australian Canadian osteoarthritis hand index (AUSCAN) questionnaire and inflammation is measured by ANA serum level. This study is experimental with two parallel pre-test and post-test group. RESULTS: In the treatment group, there was a significant decrease of the AUSCAN score 13.5 ± 5.11 (p ≤ 0.001), while in the control group, there was an increase in the AUSCAN score 2.7 ± 4.96 (p = 0.022). In the measurement of ANA serum level, a significant decrease of the treatment group found 0.3 ± 0.40 (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Moringa oleifera extract can help reduce pain response and inflammatory status of patients with chronic inflammation as an additional therapy.