Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

The efficacy of Punica granatum extract in the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Parichehr Ghalayani 1
. Behzad Zolfaghary 2
. Ali Reza Farhad 3
. Atefeh Tavangar 1
. Bahram Soleymani 4

1 Department of Oral Medicine and Torabinejad Dental Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

2 Depatment of Pharmacognosy, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Endodontics and Torabinejad Dental Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

4 Department of Health, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
Objective: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common, painful ulcerative disorder 
of the oral cavity with unknown etiology. No documented cure exists and topical application 
of medications aims to reduce pain associated with this condition. The aim of this study was 
to evaluate the efficacy of Punica granatum (PG) extract on the clinical management of RAS.
Methods: A total of 40 patients with RAS participated in this randomized, double‑blind, and 
placebo‑controlled study. During three episodes of RAS, the efficacy of topical PG gel (10%) 
was evaluated. Patients were randomly assigned to use placebo gel or PG gel daily. The time 
of pain elimination and the time of complete healing were recorded and the pain degree was 
assessed and recorded by each patients in different time intervals including: Before using 
the oral gel (day 0), and on days 1, 3, 5, 7 after using the product. Data were analyzed using 
the repeated measures ANOVA, paired and independent t‑test.
Findings: Mean time of pain elimination showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) between 
PG group (3.4 ± 1.09) and placebo group (5.9 ± 0.6). The mean duration of complete healing 
also showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) between PG group (5.3 ± 0.81) and placebo 
group (8.6 ± 0.99). The visual analog scale score in PG group was significantly less than the 
placebo group in all time intervals (day 1 to day 7) (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that PG extract in the form of oral gel (10%) 
may be beneficial in reducing RAS pain and has a positive effect in reducing the overall time 
period of complete healing. It was concluded that PG is an effective herbal medicine for 
the management of RAS.

Keywords

Aphthous
extract
pain management
Punica granatum
stomatitis
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 2, Issue 2
Spring 2013
Pages 88-92

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