Selenium: A sole treatment for erosive oral lichen planus (Randomized controlled clinical trial)

Abstract Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic disease with immune‐mediated pathogenesis. Selenium (Se), an antioxidant, plays a role in modulating immunity. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate two Se forms ( novel topical hydrogel and oral capsules), solely, in treating erosive OLP based on clinical evaluation and salivary oxidative stress markers. Patients were allocated into one of three groups: group I, topical corticosteroids; group II, topical Se; and group III, systemic Se. Treatment lasted for 6 weeks; patients were clinically evaluated at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. Biochemical analysis for salivary malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels at baseline and 6 weeks was performed. There was a significant reduction in signs and symptoms in response to all treatment modalities. However, there was no significant difference among the three groups at 6 weeks. At 12 weeks, group II had significantly lower pain scores compared with group I. Salivary MDA levels showed a significant decrease in patients of group I and group III. TAC levels showed no significant difference in response to treatment. Selenium can be proposed as a treatment for OLP. Salivary MDA levels can be a biomarker for OLP disease severity.