Oral Zinc Supplement as Adjunctive Therapy for Erosive Oral Lichen Planus

Lichen Planus (LP) is a chronic mucocutaneous inflammatory disease and considered as T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder. Zinc is a potent antioxidant micronutrient that contributes to the proper functioning of the antioxidant defense system. In addition, this mineral protects cells against inflammation by oxidative stress, because it acts in the stabilization of cell membrane. It also maintains macrophage and neutrophil functions, natural killer cell activity, and complement activity. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-containing endopeptidases and have the main function of proteolytic degradation of connective tissue matrix proteins. Zinc prevents (MMP-1) activation and inhibition of the T-cell accumulation in (OLP) through inhibiting of (MMP-9). Aim of the study: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of adding oral zinc supplementation 50 mg to 0.1%Triamcinolone orabase (TA)versus 0.1%Triamcinolone orabase alone on the healing of erosive OLP.