Effectiveness of Curcumin Nanoparticles in the Management of Oral Mucositis: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background Oral mucositis is a painful oral condition with diverse etiology and limited effective treatment modalities. Curcumin, a natural compound from curcumin longa, has anti-inflammatory and healing properties but is poorly absorbed by the body. A few studies have reported how curcumin nanoparticles (CNPs) have been created to solve this problem and improve effectiveness. This study reviewed how well CNPs work in treating oral mucositis. Methods We followed PRISMA guidelines and searched major databases for clinical studies using curcumin nanoparticles to treat oral mucositis. Only human studies comparing CNPs to placebos or standard treatments were included. Two reviewers independently selected and analyzed studies. The risk of bias and quality of the studies were assessed using Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool 2 for randomized controlled trials. Results Two clinical trials from Iran were included. One trial used nano-curcumin capsules, and the other trial combined capsules with mouthwash. However, both studies showed that CNPs reduced the severity of mucositis, delayed its onset, and assist in mucosal healing. Patients using CNPs had less pain and fewer ulcers by the third week. In additon, CNPs did not had any serious side effects. Conclusion CNPs was found a safe and effective option for reducing the severity and pain of oral mucositis. Although the findings are promising, more studies in different countries are needed to confirm these results.