Assessing the Effect of Curcumin on the Oral Mucosal Cytomorphometry and Candidal Species Specificity in Tobacco Users: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: Tobacco consumption is of major concern for public health. Compromised oral hygiene accentuated by tobacco leads to alteration in the oral mucosa and microbiome, including , and its species can be identified rapidly using CHROMagar. Curcumin, a naturally available compound possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-fungal, and immunomodulatory properties. Hence, a comprehensive study was planned.

Aim: To evaluate and compare cytomorphometric analysis and colonization and speciation in tobacco users before and after the use of curcumin gel.

Materials And Methods: The study comprised a total of 120 participants (the study (tobacco habit) group, n = 60 and control (healthy) group, n = 60). The intervention was the application of curcumin gel over the lesion area three times daily for 2 months. All participants' oral health status was assessed, followed by cytomorphometric analysis and colonization and speciation using CHROMagar.

Results: Cytomorphometric analysis showed statistically significant differences in the control and study group for cell diameter (CD), nuclear diameter (ND), CD:ND ratio, and micronuclei ( = 0.0001). colonization had a significantly higher number of colonies in the habit group when compared to the control group. was predominant in the study group, whereas was predominant in the control group. In the study group, after intervention with curcumin, a statistically significant difference was seen in nuclear diameter, CD:ND ratio, and micronuclei. There was a reduction in the number of colonies, and was the predominant species observed in the study group after the intervention of curcumin and discontinuation of habit.

Conclusion: Curcumin was found to reduce the number of micronuclei and also decreased colonization, along with the discontinuation of habit in tobacco users.