Herbal extracts in orofacial pain: a systematic review and direct and indirect meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #plant-extracts #facial-pain #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #analgesics

Herbal extracts in orofacial pain: a systematic review and direct and indirect meta-analysis

Barrera et al., 2024 | Sci Rep | Meta Analysis

Citation

Barrera Sara Delgadillo, Cepeda Lilia Jadith Bernal, ... Chaurasia Akhilanand. Herbal extracts in orofacial pain: a systematic review and direct and indirect meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2024-Nov-29;14(1):29656. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-77796-7

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry has been primarily focused on developing synthetic drugs to address orofacial pain (OFP)-related conditions. There is limited knowledge regarding the efficacy of the use of herbal extracts in treating OFP. A systematic review and a meta-analysis of 62 randomized controlled trials assessing the analgesic effects of herbal extracts on pain intensity in various orofacial conditions was conducted. The intervention comprised the use of herbal extracts compared with a placebo and/or standard treatment. The primary outcome was pain intensity assessed before and after the intervention. The pain scores were compared with the baseline scores in each treatment. When compared with standard therapy, the pooled results of the patients who received herbal extracts revealed lower pain intensity in periodontal pain (MD = -0.92[-6.69, 4.85]), oral surgery pain (MD = 18.80[8.80, 28.79]), oral neuropathic pain (MD = 20.34[6.16, 34.52]), endodontic pain (MD = -8.04[-11.72, -4.37]), oral mucosal pain (MD = 8.74[2.76, 14.73]), and temporomandibular pain (MD = 30.94[6.04, 55.83]). The findings indicated a pain-attenuating effect of herbal extracts such as cannabis, turmeric, capsaicin, licorice, ginger, chamomile, clove, Hypericum perforatum, and Arnica montana. These findings revindicate that herbal extracts may be valuable alternatives to traditional pain medications and promising source for the development of new active ingredients for pharmaceuticals.

Key Findings

These findings revindicate that herbal extracts may be valuable alternatives to traditional pain medications and promising source for the development of new active ingredients for pharmaceuticals.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts
  • Facial Pain
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Analgesics
  • Phytotherapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: ginger

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09