EVALUATION OF ACEMANNAN IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS

This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of acemannan hydrogel in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Patients w ith a history of recurrent aphthae were divided into three groups that applied one of three test articles to their lesions four times a day until complete healing. The test articles evaluated in the study were: Group I = Orabase-Plain, Group II = acemannan hydrogel, and Group III = freeze-dried acemannan hydrogel. Clinical evaluations conducted at baseline and every third day until complete healing included lesion si ze, degree of erythema, degree of discomfort and an overall assessment of improvement. A significant difference in healing time was noted in Groups II and III when compared to Group I (Group I = 7.80 days, Grou p II = 5.89 days, Group III = 5.70 days). No significant differences w ere noted in ulcer size or degree of discomfort. For degree of erythem a, the only significant difference was between Group I and III at visi t two. The results of this study indicate that multiple daily applicat ions of acemannan hydrogel to recurrent oral aphthae will significantl y accelerate healing when compared to an active control, Orabase-Plain .