Beyond Turmeric: Emerging Herbal Therapeutics in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) represent a significant public health concern due to their risk of progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Conventional management strategies are often limited by recurrence, adverse effects, and challenges associated with long-term use, prompting interest in chemopreventive approaches. Herbal therapeutics have emerged as promising adjuncts owing to their multitargeted biological activity and favorable safety profiles. This evidence-based narrative review aimed to critically evaluate emerging herbal therapeutics beyond turmeric in the prevention and management of oral potentially malignant disorders. A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for articles published between 2000 and 2025. Laboratory, preclinical, and clinical studies evaluating plant-derived agents in OPMDs were included. Evidence was narratively synthesized and critically appraised based on study design, level of evidence, methodological limitations, and clinical validation status. An evidence-grading framework was applied to distinguish experimental findings from clinically supported interventions. The available evidence ranged from in vitro and animal studies to pilot clinical trials and limited randomized controlled trials. Herbal agents such as curcumin, green tea polyphenols, aloe vera, and lycopene demonstrated early clinical support, primarily in terms of symptomatic improvement and lesion regression. Other agents, including neem, tulsi, resveratrol, and advanced herbal formulations, showed promising biological activity but remained largely supported by preclinical evidence. While several herbal therapeutics show potential as adjunctive chemopreventive agents in OPMDs, most lack robust clinical validation. Well-designed, long-term clinical trials are required before their routine integration into evidence-based clinical practice. Chemoprevention, Evidence-based narrative review, Herbal therapeutics, Oral potentially malignant disorders, Oral leucoplakia, Phytochemicals Key Words: Chemoprevention, Evidence-based narrative review, Herbal therapeutics, Oral potentially malignant disorders, Oral leucoplakia, Phytochemicals