Efficacy of Satureja khuzistanica extract and its essential oil preparations in the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad extract and its essential oil preparations in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) to explain its folkloric use as analgesic and wound healer. Materials and Method: 60 patients with minor aphthae were selected and randomly divided into three groups. Groups A and group B received topical preparations of S. khtizistanica extract and S. khuzistanica essential oil, respectively. Group C (control group) received hydroalcoholic solution as a placebo. The date of pain elimination and the duration of complete healing were recorded. Results: Mean time of pain elimination showed significant differences (P = 0.0001) between groups A (3.40 +/- 0.50 days) and group B (3.20 +/- 0.41 days) with group C (5.70 +/- 1.12 days). The mean duration of complete healing also showed significant differences (p = 0.0001) between group A (5.90 +/- 1.24 days) and group B (6.85 +/- 1.30 days) in comparison to group C (10.40 +/- 1.66 days). No significant differences were found between groups A and group B regarding both mean of the duration of complete healing of lesions and mean time of pain elimination (p = 0.10 and 0.085 respectively). Conclusion: The results obtained for S. k-huzistanica extract (group A) was similar to group B (received S. khuzistanica essential oil). The findings of this study revealed that S. khuzistanica extracts and S. khuzistanica essential oil preparation showed better effects in treatment of RAS than placebo. It was concluded that the S. khuzistanica is effective herbal medicine for the management of minor aphthae. Results of the present study may confirm the folkloric use of the plant.