Effectiveness of Curcumin in Reducing Self-Rated Pain-Levels in the Orofacial Region: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Trials

Abstract

The aim was to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of curcumin in reducing self-rated pain levels in the orofacial region (OFR). The addressed focused question was “Is curcumin effective in reducing self-rated pain levels in the OFR?”. Indexed databases (PubMed (National Library of Medicine), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE (OVID), and Web of Science) were searched up to and including February 2022 using different keywords. The inclusion criteria were (a) original studies (RCTs) in indexed databases; and (b) studies assessing the role of curcumin in the management of pain in the OFR. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The pattern of the present systematic review was customized to primarily summarize the pertinent information. Nineteen RCTs were included. Results from 79% of the studies reported that curcumin exhibits analgesic properties and is effective in reducing self-rated pain associated with the OFR. Three studies had a low risk of bias, while nine and seven studies had a moderate and high risk of bias, respectively. Curcumin can be used as an alternative to conventional therapies in alleviating pain in the OFR. However, due to the limitations and risk of bias in the aforementioned studies, more high-quality RCTs are needed.

Analgesic Potential Comparison Between Piperine-Combined Curcumin Patch and Non-Piperine Curcumin Patch: A Pragmatic Trial on Post-Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery Pediatric Patients

“…Pain evaluation was performed by measuring the acute post-operative pain immediately after the anesthesia effect wore off (identified as T 0 ) and eight hours after the first measurement (identified as T 1 ). 18 In the first pain evaluation, the FLACC score was measured by our #3 field researcher followed by our #4 field researcher who performed the salivary PGE 2 sample collection (please see Salivary PGE2 collection and evaluation). Once the salivary PGE 2 was collected, the curcumin patch was placed (for those in the treatment group).…”

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16] As an analgesic agent, including in the orofacial region, curcumin has been evaluated and delivered in several forms, capsule, gel, paste, powder, as well as in a form of a patch. 17,18 A previous study revealed that transdermal delivery of an analgesic agent, will eliminate unwanted side effects such as sedation and cognition. Additionally, curcumin delivered in a form of a transdermal patch has better optimization.…”