title: Use of Curcumin Mouthrinse in Radio-Chemotherapy Induced Oral Mucositis Patients: A Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral Mucositis is a complex and distinct pathobiologic entity resulting in injuries in mucosa that is a common complication in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT) and radiation therapy (RT). Phytochemicals, such as Curcumin, turmeric extract, has attracted great attention for its therapeutic benefits in clinical oncology due to its chemopreventive, antitumoral, chemosensibilizing and radiosensibilizing activities against various types of cancers and the complications associated with their management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of curcumin mouthwash in the management of Oral Mucositis in cancer patients undergoing radio-chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research group consisted of 20 adult cancer patients undergoing radio-chemotherapy at the Regional Oncology Centre, who were evaluated for signs and symptoms of oral mucositis and then randomly divided into two groups. Standard preventive oral care i.e. chlorhexidine mouthwash 0.2% was given to one group while the other group was provided with freshly prepared curcumin mouthwash; each to be used thrice daily. Oral mucositis was assessed at days 0, 10 and 20. The World Health Organization (WHO) scale, the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), and a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS; patient reporting scale of 0-10) were used. Adverse events were tracked.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics, Independent sample t-test and repeated measure ANOVA test were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant difference was found in the NRS (p=0.000), Erythema (p=0.050), ulceration (p=0.000) and WHO scores (p=0.003) between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curcumin was found to be better than chlorhexidine mouth wash in terms of rapid wound healing and better patient compliance in management of radio-chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. No oral or systemic complications were reported.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital , Mysuru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Karthikeya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital , Mysuru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Mahima V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Guledgud
authors.affiliation: Professor and Vice Principal, Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy , Mysuru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital , Mysuru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Keshari
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital , Mysuru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Srishti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tayal
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Cancer; Phytochemicals