The effectiveness of olibanum orally disintegrating tablet in the treatment of oral aphthous ulcers: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

• Published in: Journal of research in medical sciences Vol. 27; no. 1; p. 8
• Main Authors: Soltani, Rasool, Saberi, Zahra, Ghanadian, Syed, Taheri, Azade, Entezarhojjat, Amir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-01-2022; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: boswellia serrata; clinical trial; Clinical trials; Double-blind studies; frankincense; olibanum; oral aphthous ulcer; Original; Pain; Ulcers; clinical trial; olibanum; oral aphthous ulcer; Frankincense; Boswellia serrata
• ISSN: 1735-1995; 1735-1995; 1735-7136
• DOI: 10.4103/jrms.jrms_247_21

Background: Boswellia serrata oleo-gum-resin (frankincense; olibanum) has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial effects. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of frankincense extract in the treatment of oral aphthous ulcers. Materials and Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, patients with aphthous ulcers were randomly assigned to either experimental (Frankincense extract) or placebo groups to use orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) of frankincense and placebo, respectively, four times a day for 3 days. The size of aphthous ulcers and the pain severity by visual analogue scale were recorded at days 0, 2, and 4 and compared between the groups. Results: Twenty-five patients in each group completed the study. Olibanum extract ODT significantly reduced the ulcer size on the second (P < 0.001) and fourth (P < 0.001) days as well as the pain score on the second (P = 0.002) and fourth (P < 0.001) days of the intervention compared to placebo. Furthermore, at the end of the intervention, the number of patients with complete ulcer healing and pain relief in the experimental group was significantly more than the placebo group (5 vs. 0, P = 0.02; and 11 vs. 0, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Taking olibanum extract ODTs reduces the ulcer size and pain severity and accelerates the healing process in the oral aphthous lesions.