Comparative evaluation of efficacy of topical application of Spirulina gel 1 percent and triamcinolone acetonide 0.1 percent in the management of Oral Lichen Planus- A randomized controlled trial

Oral lichen planus is chronic inflammatory muco-cutaneous immune mediated disorder that affects skin and oral mucous membrane. It most commonly involves middle aged patients with mean age between 30-60 years. Extensive research and numerous trials have been conducted to determine the most efficacious and safe treatments for OLP. The treatment of oral lichen planus has always posed a challenge to the dental surgeon. Steroids form the mainstay treatment modality for oral lichen planus. Amongst steroids, triamcinolone acetonide forms the drug of choice owing to its intermediately acting nature and ease of absorption from the oral mucous membrane. Necessity is the mother of invention. And hence to overcome the adverse effects newer therapeutic agents have time and again been tried and tested. One such agent is the commercially available superfood- Spirulina. Spirulina contains functional compounds, such as phenolics, phycocyanins, and polysaccharides, with antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and immunostimulating effects. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of spirulina in the treatment of oral lichen planus and compare it with corticosteroids.