Management of aphthous ulceration with topical quercetin

Abstract EN

Background and objective : Recurrent aphthous ulceration is the most commonly known oral mucosal disease.

It presents as three types : minor (most prevalent), major and hepetiform.

Quercetin is a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of colitis and gastric ulcer.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of topical application of quercetin in the treatment of the most prevalent form of aphthous ulcers.

Methods : Forty male patients (aged 18-41 years, with mean age 24.8 years) presented with minor aphthous ulcer were enrolled for this study.

The patients were systemically free and no specific pathology of the oral mucosa other than minor aphthous ulcers.

Patients were randomized divided into two groups, each consisting of 20 patients.

Group I (control group) received benzydamine hydrochloride mouth wash 3 times daily.

Group II received 2-3 drops of quercetin 3 times daily directed on the ulcer.

Clinical evaluation of patients includes assessment of ulcer size, pain measure, and questioner about the topical application of quercetin in terms of texture, taste, local tolerability, and ease of application.

Results : Topical application 3 times daily of quercetin cream to minor mouth ulcers relieved pain and produced complete healing in the majority of patients (35 %) between 2 to 4 days and in 90 % between 4 to 7 days, compared with no ulcer healing within 7 days in control group.

On comparing the mean of ulcer size obtained > 7 days between the two groups, there was statistically a highly significant difference (< 0.004).

Most patients (90 %) appreciated the quercetin’s ease of application, taste, texture, and well tolerated locally.

Conclusion : Quercetin is a safe, well tolerated and highly effective promising new treatment for healing common mouth ulcers.