Comparison of effectiveness of Calendula officinalis extract gel with lycopene gel for treatment of tobacco‑induced homogeneous leukoplakia: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of Calendula officinalis gel as cost‑effective treatment modality in comparison to lycopene gel in the treatment of leukoplakia.Materials and Methods: The study comprised of sixty patients of clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed cases of homogeneous leukoplakia which were divided into Group I and Group II with thirty patients each. Group I patients were dispensedC. officinalisextract gel whereas Group II patients were given lycopene gel. The therapy was instituted for 1 month to assess the change in the size of the lesion at the baseline and posttreatment.Results: The results revealed a statistically significant difference in both Group I and Group II when the pre‑ and post‑treatment results were compared in the same group. The mean difference in the reduction in size before and after treatment for Group I was 2.0% ±1.0 cm while for the Group II, it was 1.57% ±0.87 cm. The intergroup comparison for the evaluation of reduction in the size of the lesion did not reveal statistically significant results.Conclusion: C. officinalis extract gel can be effectively used as an alternative to conventional treatment modality.

Keywords: Calendula officinalis; leukoplakia; lycopene