Aqueous extract of propolis in the treat-ment of recurrent aphthus stomatitis (Double blind study)

Abstract

In this study, aqueous extract of propolis, which is a natural bee product, tested for treatment of recurrent aphthus stomatitis (RAS). A total of 40 patients with RAS divided into 4 groups. Each patient received one of following preprepared mouthwash:Group A received aqueous propolis extract at 1% concentration.Group B received aqueous propolis extract at 0.5% concentration.Group C received dexamethosone at 0.1% concentration.Group D received distilled water. (Control group).The study was double blind and the patient instructed to use the mouthwashes for 5 min 3 times daily.The results of study showed significant difference between groups in pain score assessed at day 2 of study. High percentage of no pain recorded in group A comparing to other groups. However at 5 days of drug therapy no significant difference noticed among the groups regarding pain score.For assessment of healing after 5 days, although no significant difference noticed among the groups, group A reported to show high percentage of complete healing comparing to other groups. Also groups A, B and C showed 50% healing of ulcer comparing to only 20% in patient on group D.In conclusion, aqueous propolis extract at 1% concentration showed good percentage of early reduction of pain score and rapid healing of ulcer with minimal side effect and further studies on other extract and concentration may be recommended.

Efficacy and Safety of Propolis for Treating Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…This review comprised ten RCTs published between 2003 and 2022 [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. Figure 1 depicts the PRISMA flow chart.…”

“…Seven studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of topical propolis [30][31][32][33][34][35][36], and three evaluated systemic propolis [37][38][39]. All except one study [33] was conducted as a singlecentre study in a clinical setting affiliated with a university, and only one study failed to explicitly mention where it was conducted [36].…”

“…All except one study [33] was conducted as a singlecentre study in a clinical setting affiliated with a university, and only one study failed to explicitly mention where it was conducted [36]. Of the ten studies, one study per location, as indicated, was conducted in China [39], Greece [32], Iraq [30], Morocco [35], Saudi Arabia [33], Sudan [31], and the USA [37], and three studies were conducted in Iran [30,34,36].…”

“…All studies, including topical applications, used different propolis formulations in different percentages and carriers. Three studies used propolis as a mouthwash [30,34,36], two as a paste [31,33], and two as an aerosol spray [32,35]. All participants who took systemic propolis (in three studies) took it in tablet form once or twice daily.…”

“…Allocation concealment was neither described nor sufficient information provided to make a judgement other than 'unclear' in all included studies. Six included studies [30,[32][33][34]37,38] explicitly reported the blinding of personnel and participants. However, in one study [35], the participants could not be blinded due to the nature of the intervention, and the study was considered a 'high' risk.…”