Black Turmeric and Aloe Vera in the Management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Prospective Clinical Study

AIM: To determine the therapeutic efficacy of Kali haldi in the management of Oral submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) v/s steroid therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical prospective study was conducted on 42 patients of oral submucous fibrosis were equally divided into 2 groups. Group A patients were treated with a mixture of powdered Kali Haldi and aloe vera gel in equal ratio 3 times a day for 3 months. Group B patients were treated with intralesional injection of hydrocortisone and hyaluronidase for 6 weeks with oral antioxidant supplements for 3 months. Burning sensation, cheek flexibility, mouth opening, and tongue protrusion were evaluated before, during, and after treatment at an interval of 15 days, 1 month, 2, month and 3 months. RESULTS: Statistically significant results were obtained at the end of 3 months duration for both the groups (P < 0.001). The Symptomatic correction was more evident in the case of Group A patients than Group B. Response of the ayurvedic regimen was potentially better as compared to the regular steroid therapy. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that Combination therapy works wonders in the case of OSMF in stages I, II, III and can be a good option, comparatively safe and with negligible side effects, but potent and equally effective management of oral submucous fibrosis. Henceforth, it will be better to do such kinds of studies on a vast scale including larger samples and longer duration to check the efficacy and durability of this ancient ayurvedic regimen.