Assessment Of Efficacy Of Topical Oromucosal Paste Containing 10% Nigella Sativa Vs 10% Curcumin Vs 0.1 % Triamcinolone Acetonide In Management Of Symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus - A Randomised Controlled Trial

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder associated with pain, burning sensation, and erosive oral lesions, which significantly affect patients’ quality of life. Conventional management primarily involves topical corticosteroids such as triamcinolone acetonide; however, their long-term use is associated with adverse effects, necessitating safer and effective alternatives. Natural agents like Nigella sativa and curcumin possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antineoplastic properties and have shown promising results in oral mucosal diseases.

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to assess and compare the efficacy of 10% topical Nigella sativa oromucosal paste and 10% topical curcumin oromucosal paste with 0.1% topical triamcinolone acetonide in the management of symptomatic oral lichen planus. A total of 90 clinically and histopathologically confirmed OLP patients will be randomly allocated into three groups (30 patients each). Group A will receive 10% Nigella sativa paste, Group B will receive 10% curcumin paste, and Group C will receive 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide paste, applied 3–4 times daily for four weeks.

Patients will be evaluated weekly for subjective symptoms (pain and burning sensation) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and objective clinical improvement using the Thongprasom grading system. The outcomes of this study may help establish Nigella sativa and curcumin as effective and safer therapeutic alternatives or adjuncts to conventional corticosteroid therapy in the management of symptomatic oral lichen planus.