Effect of Turmeric on Serum Malondialdehyde levels in Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Background: Aspergillus flavous in betel nut secretes aflatoxin i.e. mycotoxin & tobacco which leads to production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species, thus increasing lipid peroxidation. Biological parameter of Lipid peroxidation is malondialdehyde. Hence present study was conducted to evaluate effect of turmeric on increased lipid peroxidation by using serum malondialdehyde levels & as a surrogate outcome on clinical signs & symptoms of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Methods: In this study 270 subjects of which 30 were suffering from OSMF on turmeric with counseling them about stoppage of habit (group A), 30 subjects suffering from OSMF on turmeric without counseling them about stoppage of habit (group B), 30 subjects suffering from OSMF counseled for stoppage of habit but without turmeric medication (group C), 90 cases which were betel-nut habitual without OSMF (group D), 90 cases healthy control group (group E). Results: Statistically significant reduction in Serum MDA levels post treatment group A patients as compared to group B & group C (p<0.05). Mean difference was observed as 9.00 in group A, 3.81 in group B, 2.62 in group C. Conclusion: Increased serum MDA in OSMF can be used as an important marker in early diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and for prevention and clinical intervention of the disease. The antioxidant properties of turmeric reduce the oxidative stress even with effects of areca alkaloids. Serum MDA level was decreased in subjects taking turmeric medication for the period of 4 weeks