Comparison of a new medicinal plant extract and triamcinolone acetonide in treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new medicinal plant extract (Ankaferd Blood Stopper®, ABS) on the healing process of aphthous ulcers. A total of 50 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) who have had currently a single oral ulcer in the mouth were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided in 2 groups: ABS group and Kenacort group (triamcinolone acetonid). Data were collected by questionnaire regarding age, gender, RAS history including the number of ulcer episodes in 1 month, the number of ulcers in each episode, mean healing time of previous ulcers and the mean disease duration. Ulcer size, ulcer related pain, evaluated by VAS and effectiveness index (EI), was noted in each clinical examination. In the present study, no significant differences were seen in demographic and RAS related data between the 2 groups. In ABS and Kenacort group, the mean ulcer size and VAS scores were statistically reduced at day 3 and day 7 compared to baseline values, yet no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in these time points. The effects of ABS in RAS treatment were found similar to that of Kenacort-A orabase cream in this study. Since our study is a preliminary one, additional studies with larger number of subjects, investigating the antibacterial and immunologic effect of this unique medicinal product will help to understand the treatment mechanism of ABS and evaluate clinical benefits and any possible adverse effects of the application of ABS spray.