The Potential Role of Ziziphus Jujube in the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract

Introduction

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is known due to the administration of several chemotherapy drugs, including platinum compounds, antitubulins, proteasome inhibitors, and immunomodulatory agents. This persecutory complication leads to dose reduction or discontinuation of chemotherapy regimens; also, it can negatively diminish the quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors and affect functional activity, since up to 40% of these individuals even after the end of the therapeutic course may keep experiencing symptoms, such as pain and other types of disability, leading to significant challenges on their personal life. It is expressed in both sensory and motor symptoms. Sensory axonal neuropathy clinically manifests as numbness and parenthesis. Motor symptoms, usually manifest as a distal weakness such as a foot drop, and autonomic manifestations, including orthostatic hypotension, cardiovascular, erectile, or gastrointestinal disturbances [1]. Currently, several drug treatment regimens have been proven for neuropathy, which includes calcium channel blockers, opioids, anti-depressants, and anticonvulsants, but they are only partially effective and have adverse. effects associated with their administrations that diminish the quality of life and an economic burden is imposed on the patient [2]. Medical herbs, as a paradigm of proactive medicine, have fewer side effects than chemical drugs, and patients have used or expressed interest in their usage for prophylactics and/or to improve the quality of life; additionally, such medicines have attracted the attention of scientists [3].