title: Lycopene in the management of oral lichen planus: a placebo-controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lichen planus, and a lower level of lycopene has been reported in erosive and atrophic oral lichen planus (OLP) patients. However, its efficacy in the management of OLP has not been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to assess the efficacy of systemic lycopene in the management of OLP.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was done in the Oral Medicine Department of a postgraduate teaching dental hospital in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty symptomatic OLP patients, randomly divided into two groups of 15 each, were administered lycopene 8 mg/day and an identical placebo, respectively, for 8 consecutive weeks. Burning sensation using visual analogue scale and overall treatment response using Tel Aviv-San Francisco scale were recorded at every visit. The data obtained were analyzed statistically using Wilcoxon Rank test, Mann-Whitney and Fischer's Exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher (84%) reduction in burning sensation was seen in lycopene than in the placebo group (67%). All 15 (100%) patients in the lycopene group showed 50% or more benefit and 11 (73.3%) patients showed 70-100% benefit, while this number was only 10 and 4 (26.7%), respectively, in the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lycopene was very effective in the management of OLP, and oxidative stress may have a role in disease pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, People's College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, India. drmisheethsaawarn@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nisheeth
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saawarn
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Shashikanth
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saawarn
authors.forename: Vasanti
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jirge
authors.forename: Nallan Csk
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Chaitanya
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinakapani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010919:Placebos; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene