Efficacy of topical curcumin compared to topical triamcinolone in treatment of oral lichen planus-a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: Oral lichen planus is a T-cell mediated autoimmune chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that mostly affects the buccal mucosa, tongue and the gingiva. Systemic & topical corticosteroids are the mainstay and most common drug for OLP management but because of the side effects of long-term use, thus trends toward drugs of natural or herbal origin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim & objectives of the study was to compare the efficacy of topical curcumin with topical triamcinolone in the treatment of oral lichen planus.
Materials & Methods: In this study 60 patients were included into 2 groups as one group consists of 30 patients which were included in the study group remaining 30 patients in the control group. Each group received 0.1% triamcinolone or 1% curcumin oral paste two times daily for 2 months and patients from both groups were subjected to post treatment follow-up visit after complete and partial remission for a duration of minimum 6 months. Assessment of the appearance score and severity of burning sensation was done at baseline and after 15th day, 30th day, 45th day and 2 months, recorded in the patients’ questionnaires. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 software using the Mann-Whitney and Spearman‘s correlation tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: 22 patients in the curcumin group and 24 patients in the triamcinolone group showed complete remission in respect to reduction of burning sensation. 12 patients in study group and 10 patients in control group showed complete remission with respect to the appearance score. No statistically significant difference was noted between the two groups.
Conclusion: Topical application of curcumin is suggested for the treatment of oral lichen planus because of its significant anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anticarcinogenic effects and insignificant side effects.