Medicinal Plants for Aphthous Ulcers: Therapeutic Effects and Evidence from Animal, Preclinical, and Clinical Studies: A Review
Resumo
Aphthous ulcers are common oral lesions that cause pain and discomfort. In traditional medicine, various medicinal plants have been employed to treat these ulcers due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and tissue-regenerative properties. These remedies typically have fewer side effects than conventional chemical drugs and may help prevent lesion recurrence. This review systematically analyzed Iranian traditional medicine texts alongside peer-reviewed scientific studies from domestic and international databases. Medicinal plants reported as effective for aphthous ulcers were identified, and their pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, and tissue-regenerative effects were examined. Prominent medicinal plants include Rosmarinus officinalis, Citrus limon, Punica granatum, Aloe vera, Matricaria chamomilla, Camellia sinensis, Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Mentha spp., Salvia officinalis, Cichorium intybus, Vitis vinifera, and others. The most frequently studied plant families were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae, with fruits, leaves, and flowers being the most evaluated parts. These plants exhibit multiple pharmacological activities that promote healing, reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and may help limit the recurrence of oral lesions. Medicinal plants provide promising complementary strategies for managing aphthous ulcers due to their low side-effect profiles and multiple therapeutic mechanisms. Integrating these plants with conventional treatments could improve clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, further well-designed clinical trials are required to confirm their efficacy and safety.
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Referências
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