Effects of natural extracts in the treatment of oral ulcers: A systematic review of evidence from experimental studies in animals

To evaluate the clinical and histopathological effects of natural extracts in the treatment of oral ulcers induced in animal experimental models. 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. A total of 705 articles were identified. After selection by title, abstract and full text, 19 articles were finally included. Natural extracts of , , curcumin and provoked a significantly greater reduction in the size of the ulcer. Extracts of , , mycelia and , 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 , and provoked a reduction in the severity of the histological inflammation. No significant differences were observed compared to controls in the treatments with extracts of , Miller and in reducing the area of the oral ulcers. 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. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis, oral ulcer, plants, herbs, extracts, medicine, treatment.