curcumin and Ulcer

A series of curcumin bis-conjugates 3a-q, 5a-k and 6a-k were synthesized in good yields utilizing an optimized reaction condition. We explored the effect of different amino acids and protecting groups on biological activities of curcumin. The conjugates were screened for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial properties. Some of the conjugates showed promising biological observations with a potency comparable with the standard references. The variations in biological properties concerning different amino acids and protecting groups are interesting observations. Effects of the synthesized conjugates on splenocytes and the production of nitric oxide by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peritoneal macrophages are correlated with the observed anti-inflammatory properties. We have also established the safety profile of the most active conjugates. Robust 2D-QSAR studies supported and validated biological data.

Topics: Amino Acids; Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Carrageenan; Cell Proliferation; Curcumin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Edema; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Structure; Pain; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship; Rats; Salmonella typhi; Spleen; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pyogenes; Ulcer

Diabetic wound infections and pressure ulcers pose a significant challenge to healthcare providers worldwide. The current study provides new and innovative wound care products that reduce inflammation, clear infection, and improve healing in an animal model of pressure ulcers in diabetic rats. Ointment, hydrogel, and nanofiber dressings were synthesized using 5% turmeric, 1% oregano, and 1% chitosan nanoparticles and tested for antibacterial and cytotoxicity

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bandages; Curcuma; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Origanum; Rats; Ulcer

Herbal-induced oesophageal lesions are rare. We report the case of an 85-year-old male who presented with cough and odynophagia. An upper endoscopy showed white deposit under the proximal oesophageal sphincter. Biopsy of the lesion revealed an oesophageal ulcer with adherent plant material and ruled-out candidiasis. At this point, the patient divulged self-preparation of an herbal remedy consisting of Aloe Vera pulp, whisky, honey, ginger and turmeric. Aloe Vera, ginger and turmeric are commonly used to sooth some gastroenterological symptoms in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Incorrect extraction of Aloe Vera pulp and adding honey to it transformed the recipe into a sticky paste that may have injured the oesophageal mucosa. Follow-up showed that the cough and odynophagia subsided after discontinuing this herbal remedy.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Aloe; Curcuma; Esophageal Diseases; Esophagoscopy; Honey; Humans; Male; Ointments; Phytotherapy; Ulcer; Zingiber officinale

This study investigates the protective effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa, CL) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was induced in male Wistar rats by intra-rectal administration of 1 ml of 4% acetic acid at 8 cm proximal to the anus for 30 s. Curcuma longa (CL) powder, (1, 10, or 100 mg/kg/day) was administered for either 3 days before or after IBD for 7 days. The body weight, macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the colon of CL-treated IBD rats and that of control rats (no IBD, no CL) were performed on 0 day, 2, 4 and 7th day. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), IL-23 and glutathione levels in control, untreated and treated rats were measured by ELISA.. CL significantly (P < 0.05) improved IBD-induced reduction in mean body weight and mean macroscopic ulcer score. Administration of CL also significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the mean microscopic ulcer score when compared to untreated IBD control. Intake of CL by rats resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the mean serum glutathione level compared to untreated control. CL reduced both MPO and IL-23 levels in the colonic mucosa of the rat.. CL improved body weight gain, mean macroscopic and microscopic ulcer scores in the colon of rats suffering from acetic acid-induced IBD. CL reduced both MPO and IL-23 in the mucosa of the colon. The increase in the mean serum glutathione level may help in the reduction of oxidative stress associated with IBD.

Topics: Acetic Acid; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Body Weight; Colitis, Ulcerative; Colon; Curcuma; Glutathione; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Interleukin-23; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Oxidative Stress; Peroxidase; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Rats, Wistar; Ulcer

A new non-toxic drug (compound A) consisting of curcumin, alpha-tocopherol and sunflower oil was developed and its efficacy tested in the treatment of radiation-induced oral mucositis in the rat.. Mature (12 weeks old, 200-225 g) female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. While under general anaesthesia, the tongues of the animals were slightly extended outside and a region of the underside of the tongue was irradiated in-situ with single doses of 2.27 MeV beta-rays from a 5-mm diameter 90Sr/90Y plaque. The dose-rate of the source was about 10 Gy min(-1) at the surface of the mucus membrane. Irradiations and subsequent assessment of the lesion were carried out under general anaesthesia maintained by a 1.5% halothane/oxygen mixture. Six groups of animals were irradiated with single doses of 13.5, 15.0, 16.5 or 18Gy. One subgroup (radiation only) received no further treatment, while the other five groups received 0.5 ml day(-1) of either compound A, sunflower oil, alpha-tocopherol, curcumin or water containing 10% ethanol by oral gavage until the end of experiments. Mucosal ulceration (erosion of mucosal epithelium) was considered as an end-point. From the day after irradiation until any acute radiation-induced oral mucosal lesion had healed, the tongues of the animals were assessed daily for the presence of radiation-induced mucositis (mucosal ulceration). Quantal data for the incidence of radiation-induced mucositis were analysed using logit analysis and a dose-modification factor was obtained.. There was a modest increase in ED50, the dose expected to cause mucositis in 50% of the animals after both alpha-tocopherol and sunflower oil were administered. This resulted in dose-modification factors of 1.05. While curcumin treatment resulted in a dose-modification factor of 1.09. Compound A significantly reduced the incidence of radiation-induced mucositis with a statistically significant dose-modification factor of 1.2 +/- 0.1.. Curcumin and other components of compound A appeared to be effective in the prevention of radiation-induced oral mucositis. However, the overall effect observed with the combination drug (compound A) appeared greater than additive.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; Curcumin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Ethanol; Female; Mouth Mucosa; Oral Ulcer; Plant Oils; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sunflower Oil; Tongue; Ulcer