Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): double blind controlled study of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) therapy

J Oral Pathol Med. 2002 May;31(5):267-9. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0714.2002.310503.x.

Abstract

Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) has features of a neuropathy and could be related to the production of the toxic free radicals that are released in stress situations. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant able to increase the levels of intracellular glutathione and eliminate free radicals. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in the therapy of BMS.

Method: This was a double blind, controlled study conducted for two months on 60 patients with constant BMS. Comparing alpha-lipoic acid (test) with cellulose starch (placebo), there was no laboratory evidence of deficiencies in iron, vitamins or thyroid function and no hyperglycaemia.

Results and conclusion: Following treatment with alpha-lipoic acid, there was a significant symptomatic improvement, compared with placebo, with the majority showing at least some improvement after 2 months, thus supporting the hypothesis that burning mouth syndrome is a neuropathy. This improvement was maintained in over 70% of patients at the 1 year follow-up.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Cellulose
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use
  • Glutathione / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Measurement
  • Placebos
  • Starch
  • Thioctic Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Placebos
  • Thioctic Acid
  • Cellulose
  • Starch
  • Glutathione