Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences (Sep 2019)

The effects of pomegranate peel extract on recurrent aphthous stomatitis

  • Darakhshan Sara,
  • Malmir Mohammad,
  • Bagheri Fereshteh,
  • Safaei Mohsen,
  • Sharifi Roohollah,
  • Sadeghi Masoud,
  • Hatami Masoud,
  • Mozaffari Hamid Reza,
  • Tahvilian Reza

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2478/cipms-2019-0021
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 32, no. 3
pp. 115 – 120

Abstract

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As high as 20% of the population is thought to have recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), hence, finding new therapeutic agents may be needed. Pomegranate (Punica granatum), has been extensively used in the folk medicine of many cultures, as it possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. In this study, it is hypothesized that a topical form of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) may shorten the duration, accelerate the healing and reduce the pain of RAS patients. The presented randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 56 patients. Herein, 28 patients were advised to apply PPE gel, and the other 28 patients were given placebo gel, twice daily for one week. Efficacy evaluations were made at days 0 (before using the gel), 3, 5 and 7. The mean values of ulcer size, pain and healing duration of ulcers were compared in both groups. PPE gel was significantly effective in reducing the pain (p<0.001), ulcer size (p<0.001), and healing duration of ulcers (p<0.001) over a period of one week. PPE in the form of oral gel can be used in the management of aphthous ulcers.

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