Efficacy Of Alpha Lipoic Acid As An Adjunct To Intralesional Injection Triamcinolone Acetonide And Injection Hyaluronidase In The Management Of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic and potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity. Despite numerous therapeutic approaches, treatment outcomes remain inconsistent. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), with its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may enhance the effects of conventional therapy. This study evaluated the efficacy of ALA as an adjunct in OSMF management.

Materials and Methodology: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted over 1.5 years on 100 clinically diagnosed OSMF patients. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (ALA group) and Group II (non-ALA group) on the same schedule. Clinical symptoms were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and inter-incisal distance was measured before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results: Males constituted 83% of participants. The most common habit observed was tobacco chewing (95%), followed by betel nut chewing (73%). Majority of cases had normal haemoglobin levels, while 15% showed decreased haemoglobin (Hb) levels.  The ALA group showed significantly greater improvement in burning sensation, dryness, trismus, and fibrosis. Mean mouth opening improved from 1.56 cm to 3.24 cm in the ALA group and 1.77 cm to 2.52 cm in the non-ALA group. Seventy-two percent of ALA-treated patients regressed to Grade 1 disease compared to 14% in the control group.

Conclusion: ALA significantly enhances symptom relief, mouth opening, and disease regression, establishing it as a safe and effective adjunct in OSMF treatment.