A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY BETWEEN TOPICAL APPLICATIONS OF PROPOLIS AND TACROLIMUS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC ORAL LICHEN PLANUS PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, mucocutaneous disorder of unspecified etiopathogenesis. Corticosteroids are the first line of medications, but owing to their adverse effects, alternative therapeutic approaches such as immunomodulators (eg., Tacrolimus) and natural products (eg. Propolis) are being used and tested in the management of OLP. Aim: This study aims to compare and evaluate the efficacy of 5% topical Propolis and 0.1% topical Tacrolimus gels in management of OLP. Materials and Methods: The research groups (Group A and Group B) consisted of 20 patients (10 patients each) with clinically diagnosed symptomatic OLP. Group A received topical Propolis gel (5%) while the patients in Group B received topical tacrolimus gel (0.1%). Both the groups were evaluated at baseline visit, during active phase (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th day) , and follow‑up phase (for 3 consecutive months) using visual analogue scale (VAS) and modified oral mucositis index (MOMI). Results: The patients in both the groups showed a statistically significant reduction (p<0.001) in burning sensation and erythema scores from baseline till follow‑up. However, tacrolimus showed a slightly better response compared to Propolis. No significant difference was noted between the groups for ulceration scores (p=0.331). The recurrence of the lesions was found to be non significant however, tacrolimus demonstrated a slightly higher recurrence. Statistical Analysis : Student t-test, ANOVA and repeated ANOVA were utilised to draw results statistically. Conclusion: The topical propolis (5%) gel was found to be of equally effective as tacrolimus (0.1%) gel in the management of OLP.