Use of Aloe Vera and Turmeric Paste as a Supplementary Medicine in Oral Submucosal Fibrosis: A Pilot Study

Oral submucosal fibrosis is the major health issue affecting 2.5 million Indian population under the age of 40 years. All the available treatments give only symptomatic relief which is short lived.The incidence of Oral submucosal fibrosis still rising alarmingly and there is a dire need to search for an effective and safe remedy because of lack of present therapies to either provide a complete cure or treating the patients at the cost of adverse effects. A total of 140 clinically diagnosed patients with Oral submucosal fibrosis (diagnosed on the basis of reduction in interincisal distance on maximum mouth opening and palpable fibrous bands involving oral mucosa) within the age range of 18-50 years with decreased interincisal opening were selected (time period 1.5 year). These patients were given Inj. Triamcinolone (40 mg) and Inj Hyaluronidase every 21 days. Pt was divided in 2 groups (each containing both males and females) those receiving Triamcinolone ointment alone BD (control) and those receiving Triamcinolone ointment BD along with turmeric & aloe vera paste combination (test). A statistically significant improvement was seen in both burning sensation and mouth opening in both males and females. The result of the study shows that the synergistic action of these herbs results in higher efficacy and highly potent Oral submucosal fibrosis treatment.