title: Efficacy of spirulina as an antioxidant adjuvant to corticosteroid injection in management of oral submucous fibrosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic condition of the oral cavity which results in permanent disability. A number of studies have proven that the management of premalignant diseases should include antioxidants. Therefore, a study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of spirulina as an antioxidant adjuvant to corticosteroid injections in the management of 40 oral submucous fibrosis subjects of south Karnataka and north Kerala.
  
  
  METHODS
  An intervention study was conducted on 40 oral submucous fibrosis cases, 40 patients were divided into two groups, group A (spirulina group) and group B (placebo group). Group A received spirulina 500 mg twice daily and biweekly intralesional steroid injection of Betamethasone 4 mg/ml for 3 months and group B was given placebo capsules twice daily and biweekly intralesional steroid injection of Betamethasone 4 mg/ml for 3 months. The results were analyzed with the paired "t" test and the unpaired "t" test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical improvements in mouth opening was significant in the posttreatment period in both Spirulina and placebo groups. Both the groups showed statistically significant reduction in burning sensation. However, when both groups were compared, mouth opening and burning sensation was found to be statistically very highly significant in favor of the spirulina group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spirulina can bring about clinical improvements in OSF patients. The observed effects suggest that spirulina can be used as an adjuvant therapy in the initial management of OSF patients. However, studies involving larger samples and longer period of treatment follow up are suggested in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Prathima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Prashanth
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shenai
authors.forename: Laxmikanth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chatra
authors.forename: Prasanna Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053545:Spirulina; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000975:Antioxidants