Therapeutic Efficacy of Different Concentrations of Myrtus communis (Essential oil of common myrtle) in the Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background and objectives: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a painful ulcerative lesion and its incidence is 20% in the society. Myrtus communis (myrtex) has been effective in the treatment of RAS. In this study, two different concentrations (2.5% versus 5%) of myrtex extract were evaluated to discover the most effective concentration for the treatment of RAS. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 60 patients with RAS were evaluated. Thirty patients used myrtex extract 5% and thirty patients used myrtex extract 2.5% (10 drops on lesion for 20 seconds 5 times per day). The severity of pain and burning sensation experienced by patients were measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) and the size of the lesion was estimated by transparent calibrated grid Data analysis was done by running t-test and repeated measures statistical test. Results: The mean of the largest RAS diameter before treatment was decreased in both groups 1 day and 7 days after treatment (P-value=0.000); however, these differences were not significant in both groups (P-value =0.401). Furthermore, the severities of pain and burning sensation were decreased in both groups (p-value = 0.000). Nevertheless, this decrease was similar in both groups (P-value = 964). Conclusion: Treatment with different concentrations of myrtex extract is effective in decreasing RAS diameter, pain, and burning sensation. In addition, the therapeutic efficacy of two different concentrations of myrtex extract (2.5% and 5%) was similar in this regard.