Therapeutic Efficacy of Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil an Adjuvant to Conventional Therapy in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis -A Comparative Clinical Study

Abstract

Introduction Oral health correlates with systemic health and maintaining oral health is very important as oral cavity is considered a reflection of the general wellbeing of human body. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common painful oral mucosal conditions seen among childhood or adolescence. There are various topical and systemic agents available for the symptomatic relief of RAS, which if used for a long duration might cause various adverse effects. To overcome these adverse effects there are numerous natural remedies available used as an alternative therapies to treat RAS, one such natural and alternative therapeutic agent is Virgin Coconut oil (VCO). Material and Methods A total of 52 subjects were recruited for the study who are clinically diagnosed as RAS based on the family history, peak age of onset, site, size, number and frequency of ulcer. All the subjects were randomly (lottery method) divided into two groups-Group A (26 patients) and Group B (26 patients). In Group A, Subjects was given 150 ml VCO, In Group B, subjects were given 5% Amlexanox paste. Results The mean and standard deviation values and P values achieved from unpaired t test which stated that group A and group B differ in terms of length at day1 and day 5, and in breadth day 3 and day 5, and the difference is statistically significant. Results of friednan test analysis infer that there is statistically significant difference in terms of VAS score in different time intervals in group A. Values of manwhitney U test infers that they exists a statistically significant difference between group A and Group B in terms of VAS score at day 3 ( P value 0.003) and at day 5 ( P value 0.000). Conclusion The study established a highly statistical significant difference within the groups in healing of ulcer and pain reduction (p=0.00) in both group A and B. When the outcomes were compared between the groups, reduction in ulcer size (p=0.068) and pain (p=0.003*) was observed on the 3rd day. However a significant reduction in pain was present on the 5th day (p=0.000*) in group A, with significant reduction in ulcer size (p=0.000*). This study suggests that VCO could be used as an effective and safe alternative drug in management of signs and symptoms of RAS. Key Words Amlexanox paste, RAS, VCO