Treatment of Minor Aphthous UlcersPhase 4NCT07672730
Evaluation of Topical Probiotic Gel Versus Triamcinolone in Minor Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers
A Phase 4 study testing Probiotic gel and Triamcinelone acetonide in people with Treatment of Minor Aphthous Ulcers, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This study looks at a new way to treat minor recurrent aphthous ulcers. These ulcers are painful, round or oval sores that show up on the soft, non-chewing surfaces of the mouth (like the inside of the cheeks or lips). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Treatment of Minor Aphthous Ulcers
- What is being tested?
- Probiotic gel and Triamcinelone acetonide
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 20 Feb 2026to 20 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Both genders
- Adults ≥18 years diagnosed with minor recurrent aphthous ulcer based on clinical examination (Parra-Moreno et al., 2023).
- The definitive diagnostic criteria for Minor Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers (Minor RAU/RAS) rely heavily on distinct clinical features and standard medical histories. Because there is no single definitive lab test or histopathological standard, diagnosis is made primarily by clinical evaluation (Baccaglini et al., 2013; Akintoye and Greenberg, 2014)
Who cannot join
- Patients with major aphthous ulcer or traumatic ulcers, patients took steroids in last 6 months, vulnerable groups as prisoners, mentally disabled, pregnant orlactating women (El-Haddad et al., 2014).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
Faculty of Dentistry (Menoufia University and Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Egypt).
Cairo
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of Topical Probiotic Gel Versus Triamcinolone in Minor Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial Incorporating Salivary microRNA-146a as a Novel Biomarker of Healing
This study looks at a new way to treat minor recurrent aphthous ulcers. These ulcers are painful, round or oval sores that show up on the soft, non-chewing surfaces of the mouth (like the inside of the cheeks or lips). While they are not dangerous, they cause severe pain and make eating, talking, and swallowing difficult.
The current standard treatment is usually a topical steroid gel called triamcinolone acetonide, which helps reduce pain and swelling but can have limitations. This clinical trial is testing whether a novel topical probiotic gel can work just as well as the steroid gel to speed up healing, lower pain, and reduce local inflammation.
Additionally, the study will measure a molecule found in saliva called microRNA-146a. This molecule acts as a natural biological marker that tracks how well the mouth tissue is healing from inflammation
- Conditions
- Treatment of Minor Aphthous Ulcers
- Being tested
- Probiotic gel, Triamcinelone acetonide
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Probiotic gelDrug
Topical probiotic gel formulation designed for oral mucosal application. Participants applied a thin layer of the probiotic gel directly onto the active minor aphthous ulcer lesion four times daily. The treatment was maintained for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks depending on individual healing timelines, with clinical assessments scheduled at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks.
Triamcinelone acetonideDrug
Active control topical corticosteroid paste/gel (Triamcinolone acetonide). Participants will apply a thin layer of the triamcinolone gel directly onto the active minor aphthous ulcer lesion four times daily. The treatment will be maintained for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks, matching the experimental arm timeline, with clinical and salivary biomarker assessments scheduled at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group (1): Probiotic Gel Investigational Patient Group | Experimental | A topical probiotic gel formulation designed for direct oral mucosal application. Participants will apply a thin layer of the experimental probiotic gel directly onto their minor recurrent aphthous ulcer lesion(s) four times daily. The therapeutic regimen will be maintained continuously for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks. Clinical assessments (lesion size; pain intensity via Visual Analogue Scale; and Thongprasom scoring) and salivary microRNA-146a biomarker collections will be systematically performed at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks. Receives: Drug: Probiotic gel |
| Group (2): Triamcinolone Active Control Patient Group | Active comparator | Active control topical corticosteroid paste/gel (Triamcinolone acetonide). Participants will apply a thin layer of the triamcinolone gel directly onto the active minor aphthous ulcer lesion four times daily. The treatment will be maintained for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks, matching the experimental arm timeline, with clinical and salivary biomarker assessments scheduled at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks. Receives: Drug: Triamcinelone acetonide |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Minor Recurrent Aphthous Ulcer Size (mm) Measured Using Periodontal Probe
The size of the target minor recurrent aphthous ulcer will be measured clinically in millimeters using a calibrated periodontal probe. The maximum ulcer diameter will be recorded at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation. Change in ulcer size from baseline will be calculated. A reduction in size indicates clinical improvement and healing.
Measured: Baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation
Pain Severity Measured Using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS 0-10)
Pain severity related to the target aphthous ulcer will be assessed using a 0-10 Visual Analogue Scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Pain scores will be recorded at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation. Change from baseline will be compared between the probiotic gel group and the triamcinolone group. A lower score indicates improvement.
Measured: Baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation
Secondary outcomes (1)
Salivary microRNA-146a Expression Measured by qRT-PCR (ΔΔCt Method)
Salivary microRNA-146a expression will be assessed from saliva samples using RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and real-time quantitative PCR. Relative expression will be calculated using the ΔCt and 2-ΔΔCt methods. Expression levels will be compared between baseline and post-treatment values to assess molecular changes related to inflammation and healing.
Measured: Baseline, 1 week and 2 weeks after treatment initiation
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jun 2026
- Study start20 Feb 2026
- Primary completion20 Apr 2026
- Study completion20 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Treatment of Minor Aphthous UlcersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ahmed Adel Mohamed Abdelazim, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07672730
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PROBIOTIC-ORAL-2026
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 29 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of Topical Probiotic Gel Versus Triamcinolone in Minor Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial Incorporating Salivary microRNA-146a as a Novel Biomarker of Healing
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07672730
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PROBIOTIC-ORAL-2026
- Conditions
- Treatment of Minor Aphthous Ulcers
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study looks at a new way to treat minor recurrent aphthous ulcers. These ulcers are painful, round or oval sores that show up on the soft, non-chewing surfaces of the mouth (like the inside of the cheeks or lips). While they are not dangerous, they cause severe pain and make eating, talking, and swallowing difficult.
The current standard treatment is usually a topical steroid gel called triamcinolone acetonide, which helps reduce pain and swelling but can have limitations. This clinical trial is testing whether a novel topical probiotic gel can work just as well as the steroid gel to speed up healing, lower pain, and reduce local inflammation.
Additionally, the study will measure a molecule found in saliva called microRNA-146a. This molecule acts as a natural biological marker that tracks how well the mouth tissue is healing from inflammation
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group (1): Probiotic Gel Investigational Patient Group | Experimental | Drug: Probiotic gelA topical probiotic gel formulation designed for direct oral mucosal application. Participants will apply a thin layer of the experimental probiotic gel directly onto their minor recurrent aphthous ulcer lesion(s) four times daily. The therapeutic regimen will be maintained continuously for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks. Clinical assessments (lesion size; pain intensity via Visual Analogue Scale; and Thongprasom scoring) and salivary microRNA-146a biomarker collections will be systematically performed at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks. |
| Group (2): Triamcinolone Active Control Patient Group | Active comparator | Drug: Triamcinelone acetonideActive control topical corticosteroid paste/gel (Triamcinolone acetonide). Participants will apply a thin layer of the triamcinolone gel directly onto the active minor aphthous ulcer lesion four times daily. The treatment will be maintained for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks, matching the experimental arm timeline, with clinical and salivary biomarker assessments scheduled at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Both genders
- Adults ≥18 years diagnosed with minor recurrent aphthous ulcer based on clinical examination (Parra-Moreno et al., 2023).
- The definitive diagnostic criteria for Minor Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers (Minor RAU/RAS) rely heavily on distinct clinical features and standard medical histories. Because there is no single definitive lab test or histopathological standard, diagnosis is made primarily by clinical evaluation (Baccaglini et al., 2013; Akintoye and Greenberg, 2014)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Patients with major aphthous ulcer or traumatic ulcers, patients took steroids in last 6 months, vulnerable groups as prisoners, mentally disabled, pregnant orlactating women (El-Haddad et al., 2014).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Probiotic gelTopical probiotic gel formulation designed for oral mucosal application. Participants applied a thin layer of the probiotic gel directly onto the active minor aphthous ulcer lesion four times daily. The treatment was maintained for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks depending on individual healing timelines, with clinical assessments scheduled at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks. | Drug | Group (1): Probiotic Gel Investigational Patient Group |
| Triamcinelone acetonideActive control topical corticosteroid paste/gel (Triamcinolone acetonide). Participants will apply a thin layer of the triamcinolone gel directly onto the active minor aphthous ulcer lesion four times daily. The treatment will be maintained for a duration of 1 to 2 weeks, matching the experimental arm timeline, with clinical and salivary biomarker assessments scheduled at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks. | Drug | Group (2): Triamcinolone Active Control Patient Group |
Primary outcome
Minor Recurrent Aphthous Ulcer Size (mm) Measured Using Periodontal Probe
Time frame: Baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation
The size of the target minor recurrent aphthous ulcer will be measured clinically in millimeters using a calibrated periodontal probe. The maximum ulcer diameter will be recorded at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation. Change in ulcer size from baseline will be calculated. A reduction in size indicates clinical improvement and healing.
Pain Severity Measured Using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS 0-10)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation
Pain severity related to the target aphthous ulcer will be assessed using a 0-10 Visual Analogue Scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Pain scores will be recorded at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation. Change from baseline will be compared between the probiotic gel group and the triamcinolone group. A lower score indicates improvement.
1 secondary outcome
Salivary microRNA-146a Expression Measured by qRT-PCR (ΔΔCt Method)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 week and 2 weeks after treatment initiation
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Treatment of Minor Aphthous Ulcers
RecruitingObservational study
Observational Study of OROSEDAL in Sore Throat and Minor Oral Lesions
Sore Throat, Aphthous Ulcer
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Probiotic gel and Triamcinelone acetonide in people with Treatment of Minor Aphthous Ulcers, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Minor Recurrent Aphthous Ulcer Size (mm) Measured Using Periodontal Probe (time frame: Baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment initiation). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Jun 2026.