Comparative Antifungal Efficacy of Curcumin Plus Nystatin Versus Nystatin Monotherapy for Treatment of Denture Stomatitis: A Clinical Trial

<b>Objectives:</b> This study compared the antifungal efficacy of curcumin plus nystatin versus nystatin monotherapy for treatment of denture stomatitis. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This single-blind clinical trial evaluated 32 patients with types II and III denture stomatitis. Microbial samples were collected from the patients' palate to count the <i>Candida albicans</i> (<i>C. albicans</i>) colonies. Erythema of the palate was quantified by measuring the surface area of the erythematous sites. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups (n=16). The control group received nystatin suspension while the test group received a curcumin mouthwash plus nystatin suspension. The number of <i>C. albicans</i> colony forming units (CFUs) and the surface area of the erythematous sites were calculated again after 14 days. Data were analyzed using t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test (alpha=0.05). <b>Results:</b> Both groups experienced a significant reduction in <i>C. albicans</i> colony count after the intervention (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in reduction of colony count between the two groups (P=0.341). Both groups experienced a significant reduction in the size of erythema (P=0.001 for the nystatin and P<0.001 for the nystatin plus curcumin). The two groups were not significantly different regarding the size of erythema at baseline (P=0.956) or after the intervention (P=0.491). <b>Conclusion:</b> Addition of curcumin to nystatin suspension did not add any significant advantage with regard to reduction of <i>C. albicans</i> colony count or erythema of the palate, and both interventions were equally effective.