STUDY OF BAKULA (MIMUSOPS ELENGI LINN.) AS POTENTIAL SUBSTITUTE OF LODHRA (SYMPLOCOS RACEMOSA ROXB.) IN THE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF MUKHAPAKA (STOMATITIS)

Overexploitation of medicinal plants has led to the need for alternative substitutes, particularly for threatened species. Though Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb.) has not been enlisted in these but in present times, it is scarcely available and is controversial also. Bakula (Mimusops elengi Linn.) is proposed as a substitute of it for its similar therapeutic properties. Objective: To evaluate the potential of Bakula (Mimusops elengi Linn.) as a Pratinidhi (substitute) for Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb.) in the management of Mukhapaka (Stomatitis) through a clinical comparative study. Methods: A randomized, open-label, interventional clinical trial was conducted with 60 patients (30 in each group). Group A received Lodhra Ghana Satva and Group B received Bakula Ghana Satva, both in capsule form for mouth rinse. Treatment was administered thrice daily for 15 days. Improvement was assessed based on subjective parameters: pain, burning sensation, difficulty in opening mouth, vesicles, ulcers, redness, and tongue inflammation. Results: Both groups showed statistically highly significant improvement at p