Can arginine and glutamine soothe radiation mouth pain?

NCT ID NCT07020754

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Ain Shams University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether mouth rinses containing the amino acids arginine or glutamine could reduce the severity of painful mouth sores caused by radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients. 69 participants swished and swallowed these supplements three times daily during weeks 2 to 7 of their radiation treatment. Researchers measured inflammation markers, pain levels, and quality of life to see if either supplement helped more than a placebo.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: L-arginine and L-glutamine oral suspensions
What this could lead to: If effective, these amino acid mouth rinses could offer a simple, low-cost way to reduce pain and speed healing of radiation-induced mouth sores.
What could go wrong: This is a small Phase 2 trial with only 69 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The supplements may not outperform the placebo, and any benefit might be modest.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms stomatitis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ORAL MUCOSITIS ORAL MUCOSITIS DUE TO RADIATION RADIATION INDUCED ORAL MUCOSITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Faculty of Dentistry, Future University in Egypt

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, 10226, Egypt

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