Efficacy of Spirulina 500 mg vs Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.1% for the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus: A Randomized Clinical Trial

AIM

The present study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of spirulina 500 mg in reducing the burning sensation and lesion size in oral lichen planus (OLP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 subjects who attended the oral medicine specialty clinic with histopathologically confirmed OLP and having symptoms of burning sensation were recruited for the study. They were randomly divided into two groups: group A (30) subjects were prescribed Spirulina 500 mg twice daily along with only a week application of topical triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% thrice daily; group B subjects were prescribed topical triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% alone thrice daily for 8 weeks. Both the groups were followed up posttreatment monthly for three consecutive months.

RESULTS

Data were recorded, and statistical analysis by using ANOVA one-way test, and Chi-square test were performed, which showed statistically significant p-value (<0.005) for the parameters "burning sensation" and "size of the lesion". When compared between groups, group A showed a favorable outcome of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Spirulina 500 mg supplementation twice daily could be effective adjunct therapy with steroids to treat OLP.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This research allowed us to delve into spirulina as one of the treatment modalities for OLP. Further studies are needed as it is a rich source of proteins and vitamins and demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant actions.

Phytochemical and Biological Activities of the Genus Terminalia, Emphasizing on Terminalia paniculata L.: A Review

Terminalia is the second major genus belonging of family Combretaceae. Species from this genus have been used in outmoded popular medicine globally. But then, a little study was stated on Terminalia paniculata L. (TP). This is a complete literature review of various Terminalia plants highlighting on TP, about its biological and isolated constituents. The objective of this study is to fascinate the attention of unfamiliar activities of TP, thus conducive to the growth of novel therapeutics which might benefit health of individuals suffering from illnesses. Existing data on Terminalia was sourced from electronic databases like Scopus, Goggle Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Chemical Abstract earth and Springer Link. Plant based studies have led to extraction of various categories of phytochemicals like, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, triterpenoid glycosides, lignan and ligan derivatives in Terminalia plants. Extracts and their isolated constituents of various Terminalia plants reported a good spectrum of activities. TP consist of polyphenols such as ellagic acid, 3,3’-di-O-methyyl ellagic acid and 3,4,3’-O-trimethyl flavellagic acid. Studies on Terminalia genus has opened a diverse active chemical component. Many biochemical potentials have authenticated use of Terminalia in therapy of different ailments in plant-based medicine. Future studies desired to discover bioactive constituents’ accountable pharmacological mechanisms. Terminalia paniculata is a tree native to southwest India (including the Western Ghats and Karnataka). Known in the timber trade as kindal. Though it has been used in the ancient system of medicine for menstrual problems, cough, bronchitis, cardiac debility, hepatitis, diabetes and in obesity, very little literature support is available on these biological activities, except for its few like acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity. This review is an attempt to emphasize on the phytochemical and biological activities of terminalia genus and the species Terminalia paniculata.

Demystifying the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molar using cone-beam computed tomography

CONTEXT

Imaging techniques and endodontics are inseparable from each other as the former have always been the cornerstone for successful endodontic diagnosis and treatment.

AIMS

The objective of this study was to detect the presence of extra canals in the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 75 freshly extracted human maxillary first molars were mounted on arches and exposed to CBCT and digital radiography (control). The incidence of additional canals is then evaluated using CBCT and the teeth identified with additional canals were marked and again exposed to RVG.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

The results were analyzed by three examiners two endodontists and an oral radiologist to eliminate bias. Inter and intra rater agreement was analyzed using the kappa coefficient.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis revealed the incidence of extra canals to be at 47.1% with the difference between the readings of the 3 examiners being statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

CBCT can be considered an advanced diagnostic tool for primary and secondary endodontic treatments.