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 Saturejakhuzistanica Jamzad extract and its essential oil preparations in the treatment of recurrentaphthous stomatitis (RAS) to explain its folkloric use as analgesic and wound healer.Materials and Method: 60 patients with minor aphthae were selected and randomly dividedinto three groups. Groups A and group B received topical preparations of S. khuzistanicaextract and S. khuzistanica essential oil, respectively. Group C (control group) receivedhydroalcoholic solution as a placebo. The date of pain elimination and the duration ofcomplete 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±1.12days). 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 togroup C (10.40±1.66 days). No significant differences were found between groups A andgroup B regarding both mean of the duration of complete healing of lesions and mean timeof pain elimination (p = 0.10 and 0.085 respectively).Conclusion: The results obtained for S. khuzistanica extract (group A) was similar to groupB (received S. khuzistanica essential oil). The findings of this study revealed that S.khuzistanica extracts and S. khuzistanica essential oil preparation showed better effects intreatment of RAS than placebo. It was concluded that the S. khuzistanica is effective herbalmedicine for the management of minor aphthae. Results of the present study may confirmthe folkloric use of the plant.