Evaluation of efficacy of aloe vera in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis - a clinical study.
BACKGROUND
Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic disease, treatment of which has largely been symptomatic. Aloe vera has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antioxidant, and antineoplastic activities. All such properties of aloe vera suggest the possibility of its use in the management of oral submucous fibrosis.


METHODS
Seventy-four patients of oral submucous fibrosis were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A patients were treated with systemic (juice) and topical aloe vera (gel) for 3 months. Group B patients were treated with intralesional injection of hydrocortisone and hyaluronidase for 6 weeks with antioxidant supplements for 3 months. Patients were assessed for reduction in burning sensation and increase in mouth opening, cheek flexibility, and tongue protrusion at an interval of 1, 2, and 3 months.


RESULTS
Both the groups showed statistically significant improvements in all the study parameters at the end of study period (P < 0.001). The clinical response to aloe vera was comparable to that of intralesional injections of hydrocortisone and hyaluronidase with antioxidant supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
The study concludes that aloe vera can be an alternative, safe, and effective treatment regime in the management of oral submucous fibrosis. Long-term follow-up studies with larger sample size are recommended.
Department of Oral medicine & radiology, The Oxford College and Hospital, Bangalore, India.
Ardra
A
Anuradha
Department of Oral medicine & radiology, The Oxford College and Hospital, Bangalore, India.
Bharati
B
Patil
Department of Oral medicine & radiology, The Oxford College and Hospital, Bangalore, India.
Venkataswamy Reddy
VR
Asha
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000504:Aloe; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008297:Male; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005782:Gels; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D006854:Hydrocortisone
OSMF; aloe vera; hyaluronidase; hydrocortisone