title: Randomized trial of aloe vera gel vs triamcinolone acetonide ointment in the treatment of oral lichen planus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of aloe vera gel in the treatment of oral lichen planus when compared with triamcinolone acetonide.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial was designed. The study sample constituted 40 patients (23 males and 17 females) who were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A patients received aloe vera gel, while group B patients received triamcinolone acetonide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty patients were included in the study. Most of the sample presented with erosive (n = 18) and atrophic (n = 14) variants of oral lichen planus. When clinical signs and symptoms were observed after 8 weeks of therapy, it was determined that aloe vera gel was more effective than triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of oral lichen planus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aloe vera gel can be considered a safe alternative treatment for oral lichen planus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. reddy_lavanya@rocketmail.com
authors.forename: Reddy Lavanya
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Reddy Sudhakara
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Tatapudi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.forename: Thakuri Rajesh
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Lingam Amara
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Swapna
authors.forename: Nimma Vijaya
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Laxmi
mesh_terms: D000504:Aloe; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005782:Gels; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide