Efficacy of curcumin in the treatment of denture stomatitis: A randomized double-blind study

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of denture stomatitis has been shown to vary from 15% to 65% in complete denture wearers. In recent years, a number of studies across the globe have investigated the various biological effects of curcumin, curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from dietary spice turmeric, possesses diverse pharmacologic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin local application with common antifungal agent clotrimazole for the treatment of denture stomatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised double-blind clinical trial with approval of institutional ethical committee consisting fifty participants divided into two groups (17 men–33 women) with the clinical signs and symptoms of oral candidiasis. The diagnosis was supported by microbiological cultures. Group A patients were prescribed the clotrimazole and Group B patients were prescribed the curcumin ointment which was dispensed in similar amber coloured bottles. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared tests, Wilcoxon's signed rank sum test and Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The mean candidal colony counts before treatment in Groups A and Group B were 63.960 and 37.080, respectively. The mean candida colony counts after treatment in both the groups were 14.080 and 3.720, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups when mean candida colony counts were calculated before and after treatment. However, intergroup comparison between the two groups considering the mycological eradication showed that there was no statistically significant difference with P = 0.404. CONCLUSION: Topical application of curcumin as a natural ingredient could be an effective agent for the treatment of denture stomatitis as an alternative to regular clotrimazole therapy.