Effects of nanomicelle curcumin capsules on prevention and treatment of oral mucosits in patients under chemotherapy with or without head and neck radiotherapy: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: One of the most prevalent complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is oral mucositis (OM) and manifests as erythema and ulceration. Curcumin is one of the components of turmeric and possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative features. Some of studies have proved the effectiveness of Curcumin in OM. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanomicelle Curcumin on OM related chemotherapy and head and neck radiotherapy. METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 50 patients underwent chemotherapy with or without head and neck radiotherapy were divided into study and control group. The study group was received Curcumin nanomicelle capsules 80 mg twice a day and the control group took placebo two times a day for 7 weeks and the severity and pain of OM was measured. RESULTS: Oral mucositis severity in control group in the first (P = 0.010), fourth (P = 0.022) and seventh (P < 0.001) weeks were significantly more than the study group. Pain grade in study group was lower than control group only in the seventh week. (P = 0.001) Additionally, NRS incremental gradient in control group was more than study group. OM severity in patients who underwent only chemotherapy in the control group were significantly more than the study group in all weeks. In patients who were under chemotherapy and head and neck radiotherapy, OM in control group was significantly more intense than the study group only in the fourth and seventh weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Nabomicelle Curcumin capsules is effective on prevention and treatment of head and neck radiotherapy and especially chemotherapy induced OM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered 12 February 2019 at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT). IRCT code: IRCT20100101002950N6 . https://en.irct.ir/trial/36665 . GUMS ethical code: IR.Gums.Rec.1397.296.

Comparison of oral Nano-Curcumin with oral prednisolone on oral lichen planus: a randomized double-blinded clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a mucocutaneous autoimmune disease with T-cell mediation. Corticosteroids are considered as a first choice in OLP and should be used for a long period with a subsequent increase in dose since the disease has a chronic and recalcitrant nature. There have been efforts to use alternative therapies due to the Corticosteroid's side effects. Curcumin is a non-toxic natural product with different effects on various oral diseases. It demonstrates antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic activities. It seems that Curcumin can be used as a proper alternative for Corticosteroid treatments. To overcome limitations in the bioavailability of Curcumin, the therapeutic effect of oral Nano-Curcumin was evaluated for the first time. METHODS: Sixty OLP patients were included in this double-blinded randomized clinical trial. The patients were randomly divided into two groups and received either 'Nano-Curcumin 80 mg' or 'Prednisolone 10 mg' treatments for 1 month. The patients should take one capsule after having their breakfast. The VAS scale was used to analyze pain severity and burning sensation. To assess lesion size the Thongprasom scale was employed. Repeated measures and independent t-tests, as well as LSD paired-test, were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Data from 57 patients were analyzed. The level of pain, burning sensation, and OLP lesions decreased in both groups of Curcumin and Prednisolone and no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Despite many studies conducted to find an effective approach for managing OLP, the results have often been unsatisfactory. In comparison with previous studies, current results clarify the importance of Nano-Curcumin bioavailability in therapeutic effects. Pain VAS and lesion size were decreased with oral Curcumin. The results have shown that oral Curcumin can be used as an alternative therapy for OLP in patients with the contraindicated Corticosteroids or should be used with caution. Oral Curcumin can be used in preventing the recurrence of OLP lesions after the treatment and initial control. Moreover, the amount of Curcumin dose is more important than its use duration in improving OLP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT, IRCT20100101002950N5. Registered 9 February 2019, https://www.irct.ir/trial/36704 .