Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immunological, mucocutaneous disease with a wide range of clinical appearances. The treatment of oral lichen planus is often difficult and disappointing with minimal survival and adverse effects. Curcumin, a low molecular weight flavonoid, possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties has diversified effects in various oral diseases and thus considered to evaluate the effect in oral lichen planus.
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, conducted with 20 Oral lichen planus subjects, randomly allocated to receive either 2000 mg of curcumin supplement daily or placebo for 4 weeks. Further, all subjects were treated with routine mouthwash (Dexamethasone 0.5 mg and suspension Nystatin 100,000 Units). Pain and burning sensation were measured based on the Visual analogue scale, and Thongprasom index.
The study showed minimal significant difference between the curcumin supplements and placebo groups (p<0.05)
No detectable effect was observed in Oral lichen planus with low dose curcumin supplement. It is suggested that curcumin can be effective only at higher doses.