A comparative study of the efficacy of apitoxin gel versus photobiomodulation by diode laser for recurrent aphthous stomatitis treatment.

BACKGROUND

Bee venom (apitoxin) contains bioactive compounds. Diode laser irradiation has a photobiomodulation effect. Both modalities are considered potential alternative therapies for managing recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of apitoxin gel versus photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) for the management of recurrent aphthous ulcers.

METHODS

Sixty participants with symptomatic recurrent aphthous ulcer ≥4 mm were randomly allocated to two groups. Group I was managed by PBM and group II by using 0.3% apitoxin gel. The pain sensation score measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and the ulcer surface area and ulcer depth were recorded at baseline and on day 5. The effectiveness index (EI) for pain improvement was calculated for each patient.

RESULTS

The Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to verify the normality of distributions using IBM SPSS software package version 24.0. The independent-samples t-test was used to compare differences between two means. Significant improvements in all clinical parameters were found post-treatment in both study groups compared with the baseline (paired t-test, P < 0.001). According to the intergroup comparison, the clinical improvement was greater in group II, and significant differences in pain sensation (VAS), the EI for pain reduction, and ulcer depth were found between the two groups (independent-samples t-test, P < 0.001). The ulcer surface area did not differ significantly between the two groups post-treatment (independent-samples t-test, P = 0.21).

CONCLUSION

Apitoxin gel reduces pain, speeds healing, and controls inflammation in RAS. Its effects are due to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, and it may provide a more cost-effective and convenient option for patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, TRN: NCT07135609.