Curcumin, the Principal Compound of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa Lin) in Oral Health: A Mini-Review

Pp: 85-92 (8)

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Abstract

Traditionally turmeric has been used as a spice and is part of regular diet in many parts of the world, and is employed as a medicinal herb in alternate systems of medicine. Recent studies on the beneficial roles of curcumin, the active ingredient and a potent phytochemical present in turmeric have shed light on the diverse roles it can play when used as an adjunct or as a therapeutic agent, along with its roles as a dietary flavoring agent. By virtue of its ingestion and ease of application as a topical agent intraorally, curcumin has been found to be useful while treating some of the common oral conditions, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous ulcerations, candidiasis and premalignant lesions, such as leukoplakia. This article looks into the chemoprotective and immunomodulant roles of curcumin in regards to oral diseases, and proposes the importance of naturally occurring phytochemicals in general health.

Keywords: Candidiasis, Gingivitis, Leukoplakia and cancer, Oral health, Oral lichen planus, Periodontitis, Premalignant lesions, Recurrent aphthous ulcerations.

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