Use Of Turmeric In The Treatment Of Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Clinic Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, progressive, and potentially malignant condition predominantly affecting populations in South and Southeast Asia. It is primarily caused by areca nut chewing and is characterized by juxtaepithelial fibrosis, restricted mouth opening, and burning sensation. Current treatments yield limited success, prompting interest in safer, natural alternatives like turmeric. Introduction: Curcumin, the active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrotic properties. However, its clinical efficacy is hindered by poor bioavailability, which can be enhanced with piperine. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a curcumin–piperine formulation in improving mouth opening and reducing burning sensation in OSMF patients.d Methodology: A clinic-based observational study was conducted on 54 patients diagnosed with OSMF at Darshan Dental collage  and hospital Udaipur , Rajasthan. All participants received Turmix® tablets containing 300 mg curcumin and 5 mg piperine thrice daily for 30 days. Inclusion criteria were age 18– 50 years and positive habit history (e.g., tobacco, areca nut). Exclusion criteria included systemic illness, malignancy, and pregnancy. Mouth opening was measured using a digital vernier caliper, and burning sensation was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean mouth opening improved from 22.45 ± 1.84 mm to 25.82 ± 1.99 mm (p = 0.001). The VAS score for burning sensation decreased from 6.31 ± 0.86 to 3.12 ± 0.77 (p = 0.001). Most patients were male (70.4%) and in the 21–30 age group. Conclusion: Curcumin combined with piperine significantly improved clinical outcomes in OSMF patients, particularly in relieving burning sensation and enhancing mouth opening. Its affordability, safety, and accessibility support its use as an effective adjunctive treatment for early to moderate OSMF.