Curcuma Longa in the Treatment of Symptomatic oral lichen planus: A non-randomized controlled trial

Oxidative stress has been suggested as pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP), implicating the vital role of antioxidants in its treatment. Curcumin, naturally found in turmeric has potent antioxidant and inflammatory properties and can be useful in reducing spread and subsiding burning and pain sensation in patients with OLP. The present study was done to evaluate the role of curcumin in the treatment of symptomatic OLP compared with the control group.

A total of 40 patients with symptomatic OLP were divided into 2 groups of 20 subjects each. Group A was treated with curcumin oral gel and a multivitamin capsule containing zinc, whereas Group B was given multivitamin containing zinc only. Patients were followed-up twice, that is, after 1 month and 3 months. A modified REU (reticulation/keratosis, erythema and ulceration) score for spread and Visual analogue scale for pain/burning sensation was used and the difference of score was calculated by t test.

During F1 period, 0.61 (Group A) and 0.19 (Group B) points improvement and in F2 period, the REU score further increased significantly to 1.36 (Group A) and 0.43 (Group B), respectively. The mean score reduction in Visual analogue scale during F1 period was 1.71 and 0.71, which further increased significantly to 2.88 and 1.24 during F2 period in Groups A and B, respectively.

Curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric is commercially available in gel form to treat different oral lesions and significantly effective in reducing spread and providing symptomatic relief in OLP without any adverse effects.