Volume 11, Issue 3 (11-2026)
SJNMP 2026, 11(3): 269-280 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Mowloudi H, Ghaderi B, Seidi J. Effect of a Peppermint-Ginger Capsule on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial. , SJNMP. 2026; 11 (3) :269-280
URL: http://sjnmp.muk.ac.ir/article-1-720-en.html
URL: http://sjnmp.muk.ac.ir/article-1-720-en.html
1- Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
2- Cancer and Immunology Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
3- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran ,jamal.seidi@yahoo.com
2- Cancer and Immunology Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
3- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran ,
Abstract: (49 Views)
Background and Aims: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are common adverse effects in patients with breast cancer. This study aimed to determine the effect of a peppermint–ginger capsule on nausea incidence and severity and vomiting frequency.
Materials and Methods: This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial included patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Of the 70 randomized patients, 60 cases completed the study and were included in the final analysis. The intervention group received a 500-mg spearmint–ginger capsule twice daily for seven days, starting one day before chemotherapy. On the other hand, the control group received a placebo. Both groups received standard antiemetic therapy. Daily nausea and vomiting episodes were recorded, and nausea severity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations and linear mixed-effects models.
Results: The peppermint–ginger group demonstrated significant reductions in vomiting (P=0.0005), nausea incidence (P=0.016), and nausea severity (P=0.0002), compared to placebo. A 75% relative reduction in vomiting was reported on Day 2. A 1.53-point difference in VAS nausea severity was reported on Day 3. No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusion: Peppermint-ginger capsules may be a useful adjunct for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. These findings may inform nursing education and further evaluation of complementary symptom-management approaches. However, additional studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.
Materials and Methods: This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial included patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Of the 70 randomized patients, 60 cases completed the study and were included in the final analysis. The intervention group received a 500-mg spearmint–ginger capsule twice daily for seven days, starting one day before chemotherapy. On the other hand, the control group received a placebo. Both groups received standard antiemetic therapy. Daily nausea and vomiting episodes were recorded, and nausea severity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations and linear mixed-effects models.
Results: The peppermint–ginger group demonstrated significant reductions in vomiting (P=0.0005), nausea incidence (P=0.016), and nausea severity (P=0.0002), compared to placebo. A 75% relative reduction in vomiting was reported on Day 2. A 1.53-point difference in VAS nausea severity was reported on Day 3. No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusion: Peppermint-ginger capsules may be a useful adjunct for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. These findings may inform nursing education and further evaluation of complementary symptom-management approaches. However, additional studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/09/16 | Revised: 2026/11/14 | Accepted: 2026/10/16 | Published: 2026/11/11 | ePublished: 2026/11/11
Received: 2026/09/16 | Revised: 2026/11/14 | Accepted: 2026/10/16 | Published: 2026/11/11 | ePublished: 2026/11/11
References
1. Sung H, Filho AM, Laversanne M, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Soerjomataram I, et al. Global cancer statistics 2024: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 34 cancers in 186 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2026;76(4):e70090. [DOI:10.3322/CAAC.70090]
2. Pasokh Z, Mazidimoradi A, Hamidian M, Shahabinia Z, Kiani M, Salehiniya H. National and subnational burden of female breast cancer in Iran from 2010 to 2021. Diseases. 2025;14(1):15. [DOI: 10.3390/diseases14010015]
3. Wang J, Wu SG. Breast cancer: an overview of current therapeutic strategies, challenges, and perspectives. Breast Cancer. 2023;15:721–30. [DOI: 10.2147/BCTT.S432526]
4. Langeh U, Kumar V, Ahuja P, Singh C, Singh A. An update on breast cancer chemotherapy-associated toxicity and their management approaches. Health Sci Rev. 2023;9:100119. [DOI: 10.1016/J.HSR.2023.100119]
5. Behranvand N, Nasri F, Zolfaghari Emameh R, Khani P, Hosseini A, Garssen J, et al. Chemotherapy: a double-edged sword in cancer treatment. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2022;71(3):507–26. [DOI: 10.1007/S00262-021-03013-3]
6. Crichton M, Marshall S, Isenring E, Lohning A, McCarthy AL, Molassiotis A, et al. Effect of a standardized ginger root powder regimen on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2024;124(3):313–330.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.09.003]
7. Sun X, Nie F, Sun J, Zhang J, Wang Y. Medicinal plants for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of antiemetic, chemosensitizing, and immunomodulatory mechanisms. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2025;21:1187–218. [DOI: 10.2147/TCRM.S531645]
8. Kim SD, Kwag EB, Yang MX, Yoo HS. Efficacy and safety of ginger on the side effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(19):11267. [DOI: 10.3390/IJMS231911267]
9. Rajabalizadeh R, Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar M, Hosseinzadeh H. Medicinal herbs in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a review. Phytother Res. 2022;36(10):3691–708. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7563]
10. Marx W, Ried K, McCarthy AL, Vitetta L, Sali A, McKavanagh D, et al. Ginger—mechanism of action in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017;57(1):141–6. [DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2013.865590]
11. Crichton M, Marshall S, Marx W, McCarthy AL, Isenring E. Efficacy of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and chemotherapy-related outcomes: a systematic review update and meta-analysis. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2019;119(12):2055–68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2019.06.009]
12. Tayarani-Najaran Z, Talasaz-Firoozi E, Nasiri R, Jalali N, Hassanzadeh M. Antiemetic activity of volatile oil from Mentha spicata and Mentha × piperita in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Ecancermedicalscience. 2013;7:290. [DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2013.290]
13. Hendey GW, Donner NF, Fuller K. Clinically significant changes in nausea as measured on a visual analog scale. Ann Emerg Med. 2005;45(1):77–81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2004.07.446]
14. Istiroha I, Zahroh R, Wafiyah Q, Syaiful Y. Effect of inhaled peppermint aromatherapy on chemotherapy-induced acute nausea and vomiting among women with breast cancer in Gresik Regency. Indones J Cancer. 2023;17(3):186–90. [DOI: 10.33371/IJOC.V17I3.987]
15. Gergő D, Garmaa G, Tóth-Mészáros A, To UN Do, Fehérvári P, Harnos A, et al. Inhaling peppermint essential oil as a promising complementary therapy in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. J Clin Med. 2025;14(14):5069. [DOI: 10.3390/JCM14145069]
16. Abdolhosseini S, Hashem-Dabaghian F, Mokaberinejad R, Sadeghpour O, Mehrabani M. Effects of pomegranate and spearmint syrup on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2017;19(10):1–10. [DOI: 10.5812/IRCMJ.13542]
17. Hunt R, Dienemann J, Norton HJ, Hartley W, Hudgens A, Stern T, et al. Aromatherapy as treatment for postoperative nausea: a randomized trial. Anesth Analg. 2013;117(3):597–604. [DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0B013E31824A0B1C]
18. Arslan M, Ozdemir L. Oral intake of ginger for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among women with breast cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2015;19(5):E92–7. [DOI: 10.1188/15.CJON.E92-E97]
19. Yekta ZP, Ebrahimi SM, Hosseini M, Nasrabadi AN, Sedighi S, Surmaghi MHS, et al. Ginger as a miracle against chemotherapy-induced vomiting. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2012;17(5):325–9. Link
20. Ebrahimi SM, Parsa Yekta Z, Nikbakht Nasrabadi A, Hosseini SM, Sedighi S, Salehi Sourmaghi MH. Effect of ginger on controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Tehran Univ Med J. 2013;71(6):395–403. Link
21. Lin CY, Huang SH, Tam KW, Huang TW, Gautama MSN. Efficacy and safety of ginger on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Cancer Nurs. 2025;48(6):455–66. [DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001355]
22. Hardi H, Estuworo GK, Louisa M. Effectivity of oral ginger supplementation for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in children: a systematic review of clinical trials. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2024;15(4):100957. [DOI: 10.1016/J.JAIM.2024.100957]
23. Panahi Y, Saadat A, Sahebkar A, Hashemian F, Taghikhani M, Abolhasani E. Effect of ginger on acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a pilot, randomized, open-label clinical trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2012;11(3):204–11. [DOI: 10.1177/1534735411433201]
24. Lua PL, Salihah N, Mazlan N. Effects of inhaled ginger aromatherapy on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer. Complement Ther Med. 2015;23(3):396–404. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2015.03.009]
25. Thamlikitkul L, Srimuninnimit V, Akewanlop C, Ithimakin S, Techawathanawanna S, Korphaisarn K, et al. Efficacy of ginger for prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients receiving adriamycin-cyclophosphamide regimen: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Support Care Cancer. 2017;25(2):459–64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-016-3423-8]
26. Ansari M, Porouhan P, Mohammadianpanah M, Omidvari S, Mosalaei A, Ahmadloo N, et al. Efficacy of ginger in control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016;17(8):3877–80. Link
27. Mahboubi M. Mentha spicata L. essential oil, phytochemistry and its effectiveness in flatulence. J Tradit Complement Med. 2021;11(2):75–81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.08.011]
28. Pina LTS, Serafini MR, Oliveira MA, Sampaio LA, Guimarães JO, Guimarães AG. Carvone and its pharmacological activities: a systematic review. Phytochemistry. 2022;196:113080. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.113080]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
