The efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in the management of burning mouth syndrome: An updated systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials

Abstract

Background and Aims: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) causes burning or uncomfortable feelings in the oral cavity without any obvious injuries. This condition's etiopathogenesis is still unknown, consequently, BMS management is very challenging. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring potent bioactive compound that has been found to be useful in the management of BMS in many studies. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review to investigate the usefulness of ALA in the management of BMS based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Different electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, were extensively searched to find relevant studies. Results: This study included nine RCTs that matched the inclusion criteria. In most studies, ALA was given at a dose of 600–800 mg/day, with up to two months of follow-up. The majority of studies (six out of nine studies) indicated that ALA was more effective in BMS patients than in the placebo-controlled group. Conclusions: This comprehensive systematic review provides evidence of the positive outcomes of the treatment of BMS with ALA. However, more research might be needed before ALA can be considered the first-line therapy for BMS.