Abstract

EFFECT OF TOPICAL ALOE VERA GEL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ORAL LICHEN PLANUS

Dr. Nandhini J,* M.D.S., Prof. Dr. Ramasamy S, M.D.S., Dr. Ronak Nazir Kaul, M.D.S., Prof. Dr. Ravi David Austin, M.D.S., Dr. A. John William Felix, MSc., PhD.,

Abstract

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is found to play a major immunopathological role in oral lichen planus. The efficacy of Aloe vera (AV) in the management of oral lichen planus was evaluated as it has immune-modulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and does not possess side effects of common treatments of OLP. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 patients with different clinical variants of OLP (12 male and 10 female patients, mean age 42 years) were included in the study. Salivary TNF-α level was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients were advised to apply topical AV gel three times daily for 8 weeks, with regular follow up every 2 weeks. Outcome measures include burning sensation relief based on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and clinical improvement of lesion size by Thongprasom scoring system. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0 software. Results: The clinical results showed an overall positive reduction in the clinical size of the lesion and a significant (P

Keywords: Aloe vera, Lichen Planus, Potentially malignant disorder, Pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-?, Salivary diagnostics.