Background
To evaluate the clinical and histopathological effects of natural extracts in the treatment of oral ulcers induced in animal experimental models.
Material and Methods
We carried out a search in the Medline, Scopus, WoS and Embase databases from the start of the databases to December 2020, and also made a manual search of the references. The search and selection were carried out by two researchers independently. The inclusion criteria were: experimental studies in animal models, in english, which complied with the study object.
Results
A total of 705 articles were identified. After selection by title, abstract and full text, 19 articles were finally included. Natural extracts of
Jasminum grandiflorum
,
Ficus deltoidea
, curcumin and
Bixina orellana
provoked a significantly greater reduction in the size of the ulcer. Extracts of
Salvatora persica
,
Musa acuminate
,
Ganoderma lucidum
mycelia and
Bixina Orellana
, as well as preparations of Kouyanqing Granule and curcumin, were able to reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase the expression and serum levels of growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Extracts of
Piper sarmentosus
,
Cannabis sativa
and
Bletilla striata
provoked a reduction in the severity of the histological inflammation. No significant differences were observed compared to controls in the treatments with extracts of
Cannabis sativa
,
Aloe barbadensus
Miller and
Malva sylvestris
in reducing the area of the oral ulcers.
Conclusions
Most of the natural extracts described in this review presented a positive clinical and histological effect on the cicatrisation of oral ulcers induced in animal models.
Key words:
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis, oral ulcer, plants, herbs, extracts, medicine, treatment.