curcumin and Pterygium

Curcumin has been used since ancient times as a treatment for a wide range of pathologies. For centuries, it has been considered to be an effective aid for common human diseases. Curcuma longa has been reported to possess various beneficial properties and actions, including anti‑inflammatory, proapoptotic, antiangiogenic and cortisone‑like actions. Pterygium is a degenerative disorder of the conjunctiva indicative of a strong inflammatory condition that requires surgical treatment, which often results in disfiguring sclerocorneal scars. The delay in the healing of superficial corneal wounds caused by topical administration of light‑cortisone results in improved restoration of corneal functions and anatomy compared with physiological healing processes. The present review is focused on the medicinal properties of curcumin, the main component of Curcuma longa extract, in particular its strong cortisone‑like effect, and its potential use for the prevention and treatment of sclerocorneal scars resulting from pterygium surgical excision.

Topics: Animals; Cicatrix; Corneal Injuries; Cortisone; Curcuma; Humans; Plant Extracts; Pterygium; Wound Healing

Pterygium is a progressive disease of the human eye arising from sub-conjunctival tissue and extending onto the cornea. Due to its invasive growth, pterygium can reach the pupil compromising visual function. Currently available medical treatments have limited success in suppressing efficiently the disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that curcumin, polyphenol isolated from the rhizome of

Topics: Curcumin; Humans; Keratinocytes; Metal Nanoparticles; Pterygium; Silver

Pterygium is an inflammatory and degenerative ocular surface disease, in which the conjunctiva on the cornea grows to form a fibrous tissue in the shape of a triangle. Although pterygium surgery is used broadly in clinical practice, its high recurrence rate poses a great concern for patients and doctors. In the present study, we examined the effects of curcumin on the apoptosis and proliferation of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs) in an in vitro culture system. HPFs were incubated with curcumin for 24 to 72 h (5, 20, 80 or 200 µmol/l). The proliferation-inhibiting effects of curcumin were assayed by MTT assay at different time points and at various concentrations. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in each group was detected by RT-qPCR and ELISA. The apoptotic effects of curcumin were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Treatment with curcumin at 80 µmol/l for 48 h significantly inhibited HPF proliferation. Curcumin significant induced the apoptosis of HPFs. Our findings thus suggest that curcumin suppress cell proliferation in the pterygium by inducing HPF apoptosis and inhibiting VEGF expression. Thus, curcumin has potential for use as a novel agent for the treatment of pterygium in the near future.

Topics: Apoptosis; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Cornea; Curcumin; Female; Fibroblasts; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pterygium; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

In order to investigate the effect of curcumin on proliferation and apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPF) in culture and search for a new method to prevent the recurrence after pterygium surgery, HPF was incubated with 0-160 micromol/L curcumin for 24-96 h. The MTT method was used to assay the biologic activities of curcumin at different time points and different doses. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Administration of 20-80 micromol/L curcumin for 24-72 h could significantly inhibit HPF proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). After treatment with curcumin at different concentrations of 20, 40, 80 and 160 micromol/L for 24 h, FCM revealed there was a significant sub-G1 peak at each concentration. The number of HPF in G0/G1 phase was increased, while in S phase, it was decreased (P<0.05). At the concentration of 20-80 micromol/L, curcumin, in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), could inhibit the expression of PCNA in HPF. It was suggested that curcumin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HPF, make HPF arrest in G0/G1 phase and induce the apoptosis of HPF in a dose-and time-dependent manner.

Topics: Apoptosis; Cell Cycle; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Curcumin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Fibroblasts; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Pterygium