Oral ulcerative disease: A systematic review of herbal medicine treatments

In traditional medicine, certain herbs are used for the treatment of oral ulcerative diseases, which are considered highly debilitating conditions. In this study, we aimed to review these treatment options in topical form and compared them with chemical ones. This study aims to review the treatment options of these herbs in topical form and compare them with chemical alternatives. Additionally, we examine whether researchers have consulted traditional medicine experts and explored the reasons behind their choice of medicinal plants. Two oral medicine specialists conducted a search of five databases, including Cochrane, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using the keywords "herbal and oral ulcer" from 2011 to 2021. The extracted data were also evaluated and screened by a traditional medicine practitioner. Out of 2656 articles reviewed in this study, sixteen clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Researchers were motivated to prescribe herbs for oral ulcerative diseases because of their significant therapeutic actions, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune system regulation. Seven articles reported significant results. The herbs Aloe vera, turmeric, chamomile, and pomegranate received more research attention. The most prevalent oral ulcerative diseases were oral mucositis (OM), recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), and oral lichen planus (OLP). Iran and China had the highest number of studies conducted. Over the past ten years, topical herbal treatments have attracted attention for oral ulcer treatment. About half of the high-quality articles reported significant effects of herbal medicine. Future research should consider consulting with experts in the field when evaluating the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines.