PURPOSE

To analyse the effects of aloe vera on the treatment of oral ulcers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant studies were identified from PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, SinoMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving aloe vera (AV) in the treatment of oral ulcers were included. The data were extracted and pooled for meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with oral ulcers in terms of treatment effect, the size of ulcers, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and therapy duration. The standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined for the main outcomes, heterogeneity was analysed using the I2 test, and the studies' risk of bias was evaluating using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool.

RESULTS

The study included 9 trials with a total of 847 participants. Seven trials were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated no statistically significant differences in pain scores as assessed by the VAS (I2 = 95%, p = 0.89; SMD: -0.12, 95% CI: -1.84, 1.60) and size of ulcers (I2 = 88%, p = 0.60; SMD: -0.29, 95% CI: -1.39, 0.81). Clinical efficacy of the aloe vera group was better compared to control group (I2 = 89%, p = 0.007; RR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.25, 4.06). Therapy duration was statistically significantly lower following AV gel application in two of the studies (I2 = 0%, p < 0.001; SMD: -1.32, 95% CI: -1.84, -0.79). Considering the results in a systematic manner, AV accelerated tissue epithelialisation and the wound-healing process.

CONCLUSION

Compared with other interventions, aloe vera has a better therapeutic effect and shorter healing time. It is comparable with other interventions in relieving pain and reducing ulcer size, but it has higher safety and almost no side effects.