curcumin and Wounds-and-Injuries

Wound treatment remains one of the most prevalent and economically burdensome healthcare issues in the world. Current treatment options are limited and require repeated administrations which led to the development of new therapeutics to satisfy the unmet clinical needs. Many potent wound healing agents were discovered but most of them are fragile and/or sensitive to in vivo conditions. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a widely used biodegradable polymer approved by food and drug administration and European medicines agency as an excipient for parenteral administrations. It is a well-established drug delivery system in various medical applications. The aim of the current review is to elaborate the applications of PLGA based drug delivery systems carrying different wound healing agents and also present PLGA itself as a wound healing promoter. PLGA carriers encapsulating drugs such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, proteins/peptides, and nucleic acids targeting various phases/signaling cycles of wound healing, are discussed with examples. The combined therapeutic effects of PLGA and a loaded drug on wound healing are also mentioned.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Curcumin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Lactic Acid; Nanoparticles; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Polyglycolic Acid; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Regenerative Medicine; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Sepsis, severe injury, and cancer are associated with loss of muscle mass. Muscle wasting in these conditions is mainly caused by increased proteolysis, at least in part regulated by nuclear factor-kappaB. Despite recent progress in the understanding of mediators and mechanisms involved in muscle wasting, effective and universally accepted treatments by which muscle atrophy can be prevented or reversed are still lacking. We review recent evidence suggesting that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a component of the spice turmeric, may prevent loss of muscle mass during sepsis and endotoxemia and may stimulate muscle regeneration after traumatic injury. Curcumin has been part of the traditional Asian medicine for centuries, mainly because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Studies suggest that inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB is one of the mechanisms by which curcumin exerts its ant-inflammatory effects. Curcumin is easily accessible, inexpensive, and non-toxic even at high doses, and may therefore offer an important treatment modality in muscle wasting and injury. It should be noted, however, that the muscle-sparing effects of curcumin are not universally accepted, and more studies are therefore needed to further test the role of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of muscle wasting.

Topics: Animals; Curcumin; Humans; Muscle Proteins; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Atrophy; NF-kappa B; Regeneration; Wounds and Injuries

A wound that does not heal in the orderly stages of the healing process or does not heal within 3 months is considered a chronic wound. Wound healing is impaired when the wound remains in the inflammatory stage for too long. A range of factors can delay the healing process: imbalance between proteases and protease inhibitors in the wound bed; bacterial colonization and the presence of biofilm; and oxidative stress. Recently, wound management has improved significantly. A new antioxidant dressing has been developed, which combines an absorbent matrix obtained from locust bean gum galactomannan and a hydration solution with curcumin and N-acetylcysteine. This dressing combines the advantages of moist healing in exudate management and free radical neutralization, achieving wound reactivation. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effect of the antioxidant dressing on chronic wound healing against the use of a standard wound dressing in patients with hard-to-heal wounds.. We will conduct a multicentre, single-blind, randomized controlled trial with parallel groups. Participants will be selected from three primary public health care centres located in Andalucía (southern Spain). Patients will be randomized into an intervention group (antioxidant dressing) or a control group (standard wound dressing). Assessments will be carried out at weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8. Follow-up will be for a period of 8 weeks or until complete healing if this occurs earlier.. The findings from this study should provide scientific evidence on the efficacy of the antioxidant dressing as an alternative for the treatment of chronic wounds. This study fills some of the gaps in the existing knowledge about patients with hard-to-heal wounds.. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03934671. Registered on 2 May 2019.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Antioxidants; Bandages; Curcumin; Galactans; Galactose; Humans; Mannans; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Plant Gums; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Single-Blind Method; Spain; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND Bone fracture, a common injury to bones leads to various biophysiological changes and pathological responses in the body. The current study investigated curcumin for treatment of bone fracture in a rat model of bone trauma, and evaluated the related mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS The rats were separated randomly into 3 groups; sham, model, and curcumin treatment groups. The fracture rat model was established by transverse osteotomy in the right femur bone at the mid-shaft. The osteoblast count was determined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were measured by western blotting. RESULTS The rpS6-phosphorylation was suppressed and light chain 3 (LC3II) expression elevated in the curcumin treated group of the fracture rat model. In the curcumin-treated group, mineralization of fracture calluses was markedly higher on day 14 of fracture. The formation of osteoblasts was observed at a greater rate in the curcumin treated group compared to the model rat group. Treatment of rats with curcumin significantly (P<0.05) promoted expression of PCNA and VEGF. The decrease in CD11b+/Gr-1+ cell expansion in rats with bone trauma was alleviated significantly by curcumin treatment. A marked increase in arginase-1 expression in rats with bone trauma was caused by curcumin treatment. CONCLUSIONS In summary, curcumin activates autophagy and inhibits mTOR activation in bone tissues of rats with trauma. The curcumin promoted myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) proliferation and increased expansion of MDSCs in a rat model of trauma. Therefore, curcumin may have beneficial effect in patients with bone trauma and should be evaluated further for development of treatment.

Topics: Animals; Arginase; Bone and Bones; Bony Callus; CD11b Antigen; Cell Proliferation; Curcumin; Disease Models, Animal; Femoral Fractures; Male; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells; Osteoblasts; Phosphorylation; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Protective Agents; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Ribosomal Protein S6; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Wounds and Injuries

Real-time monitoring of wound pH may provide information about the wound healing status and potential bacterial infection. Herein, we integrated the biocompatible color changing substance curcumin into a fibrous material, capable of in situ real-time visually monitoring the wound pH. The results indicate that the curcumin-loaded fibrous mat exhibits an obvious pH-dependent color change from yellow to red brown with a change in pH from 6.0 to 9.0, which can be easily detected by the human naked eye. Moreover, the wound pH conditions can be determined with the aid of a smart phone App after image analysis. Due to their flexibility, the fibrous materials have been further processed into various shapes from 1D to 3D for fitting the irregular wounds. It is believed that smart fibrous materials that can simultaneously real-time monitor the wound pH and repair the wound may change wound management to a convenient and comfortable way.

Topics: Color; Curcumin; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Polyesters; Smart Materials; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Adult full-thickness cutaneous wound repair suffers from an imbalanced immune response, leading to nonfunctional reconstructed tissue and fibrosis. Although various treatments have been reported, the immune-mediated tissue regeneration driven by biomaterial offers an attractive regenerative strategy for damaged tissue repair.. In this research, we investigated a specific bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) sheet that was induced by the Traditional Chinese Medicine curcumin (CS-C) and its immunomodulatory effects on wound repair. Comparisons were made with the BMSC sheet induced without curcumin (CS-N) and control (saline).. In vitro cultured BMSC sheets (CS-C) showed that curcumin promoted the proliferation of BMSCs and modified the features of produced extracellular matrix (ECM) secreted by BMSCs, especially the contents of ECM structural proteins such as fibronectin (FN) and collagen I and III, as well as the ratio of collagen III/I. Two-photon fluorescence (TPF) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of mouse implantation revealed superior engraftment of BMSCs, maintained for 35 days in the CS-C group. Most importantly, CS-C created a favorable immune microenvironment. The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) was abundantly produced by CS-C, thus facilitating a mass migration of leukocytes from which significantly increased expression of signature T. Curcumin has a good regulatory effect on BMSCs and this promising CS-C biomaterial creates a pro-regenerative immune microenvironment for cutaneous wound healing.

Topics: Allografts; Animals; Bone Marrow Cells; Cellular Microenvironment; Curcumin; Macrophages; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Transgenic; Th1 Cells; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Curcumin, a constituent of the turmeric plant, has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects, but its effects on wound healing are unclear. We created back wounds in 72 mice and treated them with or without topical curcumin (0.2 mg/mL) in Pluronic F127 gel (20%) daily for 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 days. Healing in wounds was evaluated from gross appearance, microscopically by haematoxylin and eosin staining, by immunohistochemistry for tumour necrosis factor alpha and alpha smooth muscle actin, and by polymerase chain reaction amplification of mRNA expression levels. Treatment caused fast wound closure with well-formed granulation tissue dominated by collagen deposition and regenerating epithelium. Curcumin increased the levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha mRNA and protein in the early phase of healing, which then decreased significantly. However, these levels remained high in controls. Levels of collagen were significantly higher in curcumin-treated wounds. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha smooth muscle actin was increased in curcumin-treated mice on days 7 and 12. Curcumin treatment significantly suppressed matrix metallopeptidase-9 and stimulated alpha smooth muscle levels in tumour necrosis factor alpha-treated fibroblasts via nuclear factor kappa B signalling. Thus, topical curcumin accelerated wound healing in mice by regulating the levels of various cytokines.

Topics: Actins; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cell Proliferation; Collagen; Curcumin; Disease Models, Animal; Fibroblasts; Humans; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Mice; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Our earlier studies demonstrated that topically applied substance P (SP) or curcumin on excision skin wound accelerated the wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the wound healing potential of combination of SP and curcumin in diabetic rats.. Open cutaneous excision wound was created on the back of each of the 60 diabetic rats. Wound-inflicted rats were equally divided into three groups namely, control, gel treated, and SP + curcumin treated. Normal saline, pluronic gel, and SP (0.5 × 10. SP + curcumin combination significantly accelerated wound closure and decreased messenger RNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, whereas the combination markedly increased the expressions of interleukin-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta1, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, stromal cell-derived factors-1alpha, heme oxygenase-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in granulation-healing tissue, compared with control and gel-treated groups. In combination group, granulation tissue was better, as was evidenced by improved fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, microvessel density, growth-associated protein 43-positive nerve fibers, and thick regenerated epithelial layer.. The combination of SP and curcumin accelerated wound healing in diabetic rats and both the drugs were compatible at the doses used in this study.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Biomarkers; Curcumin; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Drug Therapy, Combination; Male; Neurotransmitter Agents; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Skin; Substance P; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Oxidative stress can contribute to impaired wound healing and chronic wounds. Our objective was to test the results of a new antioxidant dressing that could help stop the oxidative stress of cells in the wound bed.. A multicentre, prospective case study series was conducted in three Spanish hospitals. The RESVECH 2.0 index was used for healing assessment. Data from each patient was collected by the attending clinical researchers. Data analysis was performed using the statistical concept intention-to-treat (ITT). Descriptive results were presented as frequency and percentages for qualitative variables and mean, standard deviation (SD), range and median for quantitative variables. For analytical-inferential analyses, incidence of healing was calculated for chronic and acute wounds. Relative risk (RR) was used to establish the differences of healing between both types of wounds. Healing was represented by Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and these were compared using the log-rank test.. A total of 31 patients with hard-to-heal wounds were recruited. During the 8-week follow-up period, nine wounds (29%) completely healed, of which seven (77.8%) were acute and two (22.2%) chronic. The remaining wounds (22) showed a significant improvement after treatment with the antioxidant dressing. RESVECH 2.0 scores decreased an average of 10.16 points over the 8-week period.. The antioxidant dressing could represent an alternative in the dressing landscape for many types of acute and chronic wounds.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antioxidants; Bandages; Curcumin; Female; Galactans; Galactose; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Mannans; Middle Aged; Plant Gums; Prospective Studies; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Chitosan (CS) has been extensively studied as drug delivery systems for wound healing. Results/methodology: CS nanoparticles were loaded with curcumin (Cur) and DsiRNA against prostaglandin transporter gene and they were incorporated into 20 and 25% w/v Pluronic F-127. The gels were later analyzed for their rheology, gelation temperature (T. A thermo-sensitive gel containing Cur/DsiRNA CS nanoparticles was successfully developed and has a great potential to be further developed.

Topics: Chitosan; Curcumin; Diabetes Mellitus; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Gels; Nanoparticles; RNA, Small Interfering; Wounds and Injuries

This study is aimed at the development of a composite material for wound dressing containing nanosilver nanohydrogels (nSnH) along with Aloe vera and curcumin that promote antimicrobial nature, wound healing and infection control. Nanosliver nanohydrogels were synthesized by nanoemulsion polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) followed by subsequent crosslinking and silver reduction under irradiation. Both the polymerization and irradiation time had significant influence on the nanoparticle shape, size and its formation. Polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene oxide/carboxymethyl cellulose matrix was used as gel system to blend with nSnH, A. vera, curcumin and coat it on the hydrolysed PET fabric to develop antimicrobial dressings. The cumulative release of silver from the dressing was found to be ~42% of the total loading after 48h. The antimicrobial activity of the dressings was studied against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In vivo wound healing studies were carried out over a period of 16d on full-thickness skin wounds created on Swiss albino mice. Fast healing was observed in Gel/nSnH/Aloe treated wounds with minimum scarring, as compared to other groups. The histological studies showed A. vera based dressings to be the most optimum one. These results suggest that nSnH along with A. vera based dressing material could be promising candidates for wound dressings.

Topics: Aloe; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Curcumin; Escherichia coli; Hydrogels; Male; Metal Nanoparticles; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Polymethacrylic Acids; Silver; Staphylococcus aureus; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Introduction. Impaired wound-healing in diabetics can lead to life-threatening complications, such as limb amputation, associated in part with excessive matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) mediated degradation of collagen and other matrix constituents. In the current study, a novel triketonic chemically modified curcumin, CMC2.24, was tested for efficacy in healing of standardized skin wounds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Initially, CMC2.24 was daily applied topically at 1% or 3% concentrations or administered systemically (oral intubation; 30 mg/kg); controls received vehicle treatment only. Over 7 days, the diabetics exhibited impaired wound closure, assessed by gross and histologic measurements, compared to the nondiabetic controls. All drug treatments significantly improved wound closure with efficacy ratings as follows: 1% 2.24 > systemic 2.24 > 3% 2.24 with no effect on the severe hyperglycemia. In subsequent experiments, 1% CMC2.24 "normalized" wound-healing in the diabetics, whereas 1% curcumin was no more effective than 0.25% CMC2.24, and the latter remained 34% worse than normal. MMP-8 was increased 10-fold in the diabetic wounds and topically applied 1% (but not 0.25%) CMC2.24 significantly reduced this excessive collagenase-2; MMP-13/collagenase-3 did not show significant changes. Additional studies indicated efficacy of 1% CMC2.24 over more prolonged periods of time up to 30 days.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Administration, Oral; Animals; Blood Glucose; Case-Control Studies; Curcumin; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

To develop and evaluate a biodegradable superporous hydrogel based wound healing composite of chitosan and alginate incorporated with curcumin and honey.. A 3(2) factorial design was adopted to optimise the honey-curcumin hydrogel composite sponge (CHS). Sodium alginate and chitosan were dissolved in deionised water and 1% aqueous acetic acid solution at room temperature, respectively. Ethanolic solution of curcumin was poured into the chitosan solution followed by an addition of sodium alginate solution. In situ polymerisation was carried out by adding acrylamide base components to the polymeric solution of curcumin. Finally, honey was added with slow stirring and a sponge was cast on a glass surface by solvent evaporation at 45ºC. The produced sponge was assessed for swelling capacity, moisture loss, tensile strength, biocompatibility, bioadhesion, biodegradation, drug diffusion and wound healing properties. The morphology of CHS was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).. The optimised CHS demonstrated a high swelling capacity (111.05 ± 05%), tensile strength (4323gm/mm(2)), in vitro drug diffusion (75.03 ± 3.59%/20days), bioadhesion (20 ± 0.2mg force) and ability of water vapour transmission. A rapid induction of tissue granulation and re-epithelialisation was observed. Time to complete healing (94.14 ± 1.04% wound contraction) was 7 ± 2 days.. This study has shown that honey-curcumin hydrogel composite sponge can be formulated by a simple mixing and in situ polymerisation method. The hydrogel base provided a dry wound bed due to excellent fluid absorption capacity. Chitosan and honey contributed to effective faster wound healing. We recommend further clinical studies of the soft sponge wound healing composite for diabetic foot or pressure ulcers.

Topics: Alginates; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Biocompatible Materials; Chitosan; Curcumin; Equipment Design; Glucuronic Acid; Hexuronic Acids; Honey; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; Materials Testing; Rats; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Tensile Strength; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

This study prepared a composite scaffold composed of curcumin and poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC) copolymer using coelectrospinning technology. Incorporation of curcumin into the polymeric matrix had an obvious effect on the morphology and dimension of PCEC/curcumin fibers. The results of in vitro anti-oxidant tests and of the cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the curcumin-loaded PCEC fibrous mats had significant anti-oxidant efficacy and low cytotoxicity. Curcumin could be sustainably released from the fibrous scaffolds. More importantly, in vivo efficacy in enhancing wound repair was also investigated based on a full-thickness dermal defect model for Wistar rats. The results indicated that the PCEC/curcumin fibrous mats had a significant advantage in promoting wound healing. At 21 days post-operation, the dermal defect was basically recovered to its normal condition. A percentage of wound closure reached up to 93.3 ± 5.6% compared with 76.9 ± 4.9% of the untreated control (p < 0.05). Therefore, the as-prepared PCEC/curcumin composite mats are a promising candidate for use as wound dressing.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Biocompatible Materials; Cell Survival; Curcumin; Drug Delivery Systems; Female; Fibroblasts; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Polyesters; Polyethylene Glycols; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Skin; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Surface Properties; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Prolonged inflammation and increased oxidative stress impairs healing in diabetics and application of curcumin, a well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, could be an important strategy in improving impaired healing in diabetics. So, the present study was conducted to evaluate the cutaneous wound healing potential of topically applied curcumin in diabetic rats. Open excision skin wound was created in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and wounded rats were divided into three groups; i) control, ii) gel-treated and iii) curcumin-treated. Pluronic F-127 gel (25%) and curcumin (0.3%) in pluronic gel were topically applied in the gel- and curcumin-treated groups, respectively, once daily for 19 days. Curcumin application increased the wound contraction and decreased the expressions of inflammatory cytokines/enzymes i.e. tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Curcumin also increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine i.e. IL-10 and antioxidant enzymes i.e. superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Histopathologically, the curcumin-treated wounds showed better granulation tissue dominated by marked fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, and wounds were covered by thick regenerated epithelial layer. These findings reveal that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of curcumin caused faster and better wound healing in diabetic rats and curcumin could be an additional novel therapeutic agent in the management of impaired wound healing in diabetics.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Curcumin; Cytokines; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Inflammation Mediators; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Models, Animal; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Skin; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Superoxide Dismutase; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

The experimental finding of Asian traditional medicine revealed the pharmacological effect of the local application of ghee which was taken from cow butterfat and the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. These materials significantly improved the healing process of the wound. In addition, ancient physicians of Middle East discovered that the powdered rhizomes of Curcuma longa (common turmeric) also had impressive medicinal qualities. Over the centuries, this spice has been used as a pain relieving, anti-inflammatory agent to relieve pain and inflammation in the skin and muscles.. We decided to mix ghee which was taken from sheep butterfat with the powdered rhizomes of Curcuma longa to formulate a novel cost-benefit material and then, evaluate its potential therapeutic effect on acceleration of surgical wound healing; moreover, this present study was performed to compare the effects of Curcuma longa-ghee formulation and hyaluronic acid on gingival wound healing following surgery.. Five healthy 3-year-old male beagle dogs were used in this study. They had intact teeth and the clinical and radiographic examination revealed no periodontal disease. Ghee was obtained from the refined sheep butterfat heated to 70 degrees C mixed with the powdered rhizomes of Curcuma longa and was applied with two different ratios including materials A and B. Randomly, these three materials including hyaluronic acid, materials A and B were applied topically in test regions and then covered with periodontal pack. Histological changes were monitored in days 4 and 7 after operation to evaluate the inflammatory and repair stage of healing process.. We observed significant difference in the inflammatory and repair parameters of the healing process between cases treated with this new formulation and cases of hyaluronic acid application.. The results suggested a positive potential therapeutic effect on surgical wound healing particularly improvement of periodontal treatment consequences after surgery.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Curcuma; Dietary Fats; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Gingiva; Gingivectomy; Hyaluronic Acid; Inflammation; Male; Medicine, Traditional; Phytotherapy; Random Allocation; Rhizome; Sheep; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

The potential efficacy of fresh turmeric (Curcuma longa) paste to heal wounds was tested in a preclinical study in an animal model. Turmeric paste was compared with honey as a topical medicament against a control on experimentally created full-thickness circular wounds in 18 rabbits (Oryctolagous cuniculus). Wound healing was assessed on the basis of physical, histomorphological, and histochemical parameters on treatment days 0, 3, 7, and 14. Only tensile strength was measured on day 14 of treatment. It was observed that the wound healing was statistically significantly faster (P < .01) in both treatment groups compared to the control group.

Topics: Animals; Curcuma; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Female; Honey; Male; Ointments; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Rabbits; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

The healing of irradiated wounds has always been a central consideration in medical practice because radiation disrupts normal response to injury, leading to a protracted recovery period. The quest for clinically effective wound healing agents is important in the medical management of irradiated wounds. Therefore, the present study was conceptualized to investigate the effect of curcumin (natural yellow, diferuloylmethane), a major yellow pigment and an active component of turmeric on wound healing in mice exposed to whole-body gamma-radiation. A full-thickness wound was created on the dorsum of mice whole-body irradiated to 2, 4, 6, or 8 Gy. The progression of wound contraction was monitored periodically by capturing video images of the wound. The collagen, hexosamine, DNA, nitric oxide, and histological profiles were evaluated at various postirradiation days in mice treated and not treated with curcumin before exposure to 0 or 6 Gy. The whole-body exposure resulted in a dose-dependent delay in wound contraction and prolongation of wound healing time. Irradiation caused a significant reduction in collagen, hexosamine, DNA, and nitric oxide synthesis. Pretreatment with curcumin significantly enhanced the rate of wound contraction, decreased mean wound healing time, increased synthesis of collagen, hexosamine, DNA, and nitric oxide and improved fibroblast and vascular densities. This study demonstrates that curcumin pretreatment has a conducive effect on the irradiated wound and could be a substantial therapeutic strategy in initiating and supporting the cascade of tissue repair processes in irradiated wounds.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Curcuma; Curcumin; Female; Male; Mice; Models, Animal; Radiation-Protective Agents; Whole-Body Irradiation; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

Skeletal muscle is often the site of tissue injury due to trauma, disease, developmental defects or surgery. Yet, to date, no effective treatment is available to stimulate the repair of skeletal muscle. We show that the kinetics and extent of muscle regeneration in vivo after trauma are greatly enhanced following systemic administration of curcumin, a pharmacological inhibitor of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Biochemical and histological analyses indicate an effect of curcumin after only 4 days of daily intraperitoneal injection compared with controls that require >2 wk to restore normal tissue architecture. Curcumin can act directly on cultured muscle precursor cells to stimulate both cell proliferation and differentiation under appropriate conditions. Other pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of NF-kappaB also stimulate muscle differentiation in vitro. Inhibition of NF-kappaB-mediated transcription was confirmed using reporter gene assays. We conclude that NF-kappaB exerts a role in regulating myogenesis and that modulation of NF-kappaB activity within muscle tissue is beneficial for muscle repair. The striking effects of curcumin on myogenesis suggest therapeutic applications for treating muscle injuries.

Topics: Animals; Cell Count; Cell Differentiation; Cell Fusion; Curcumin; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Muscle, Skeletal; NF-kappa B; Regeneration; Stem Cells; Wounds and Injuries