Effect of an herbal compound for treatment of burning mouth syndrome: randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study aimed at evaluating the effect of the systemic use of an herbal compound (Catuama) on the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome (BMS).


METHODS
Seventy-two patients with BMS were randomly allocated into test (n = 38) and control (n = 34) groups. Patients were instructed to take 2 capsules each day for 8 weeks. They were reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment onset using a faces scale (FS) and a visual numeric scale (VNS).


RESULTS
Although both groups demonstrated a reduction in symptoms, the improvement observed in the test group was significantly greater than in the control group after 4 (FS: P = .010) and 8 (VNS: P = .03; FS: P < .001) weeks of treatment. This significant reduction was maintained 12 weeks after treatment onset (FS, VNS: P = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The systemic administration of Catuama reduces the symptoms of BMS and may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of this disease.
School of Dentistry, Oral Medicine Division, São Lucas Hospital, Pontifical Catholical University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. jcs.odonto@yahoo.com.br
Juliana Cassol
JC
Spanemberg
Karen
K
Cherubini
Maria Antonia Zancanaro
MA
de Figueiredo
Ana Paula Neutzling
AP
Gomes
Maria Martha
MM
Campos
Fernanda Gonçalves
FG
Salum
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C437663:Catuama; D010936:Plant Extracts