Comparison of Efficacy of Topical Curcumin Gel with Triamcinolone-hyaluronidase Gel Individually and in Combination in the Treatment of Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

AIM: To study the efficacy of topical curcumin mucoadhesive semisolid gel, triamcinolone acetonide/hyaluronidase mucoadhesive semisolid gel, and a combination of both in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients diagnosed with OSMF were randomly divided into groups I, II, and III. Each patients in groups I, II, and III was given professionally prepared mucoadhesive semisolid gel of curcumin, a combination of triamcinolone acetonide and hyaluronidase mucoadhesive semisolid gel, and a combination of all three, respectively. Patients were instructed to apply the gel thrice daily for 6 weeks on buccal mucosa bilaterally using the tip of index finger. Three parameters were evaluated at the end of each week, namely, mouth opening, burning on visual analog scale (VAS), and the color of oral mucosa on the binary scale. The results were subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS: It was observed that the group administered the three drug combinations achieved the greatest mouth opening (mean increase 4.05 mm) as compared to the other two groups. It was observed that triamcinolone and hyaluronidase group reported reduction in burning sensation on VAS (mean difference 6) as compared to the other two groups. It was observed that group III (1% curcumin, 1% hyaluronidase and 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide combined) drug therapy showed better change in mucosa color as compared to groups I (1% curcumin) and II.

CONCLUSION: Thus, we can conclude that curcumin has a therapeutic effect on patients diagnosed with OSMF. Maximum utilization and enhanced drug delivery were achieved with the help of a combination other two active drugs, namely, triamcinolone and hyaluronidase.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Curcumin role in the treatment of oral cancers and the precancer lesion is very promising.