Effect of curcumin on radiation-impaired healing of excisional wounds in mice

• Published in: Journal of wound care Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 107 - 109
• Main Authors: Jagetia, G.C, Rajanikant, G.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London MA Healthcare 01-03-2004
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Curcumin - pharmacology; Curcumin - therapeutic use; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Female; Male; Mice; Oxidation-Reduction; Time Factors; Videotape Recording; Whole-Body Irradiation - adverse effects; Wound Healing - drug effects; Wound Healing - radiation effects; Wounds, Penetrating - drug therapy; Wounds, Penetrating - etiology; antioxidant; free radicals; fibroblast; radiation; excision wound; contraction; curcumin
• ISSN: 0969-0700; 2052-2916
• DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2004.13.3.26589

Objective:
To study the effect on wound contraction of pretreatment with various doses of curcumin (the most important active ingredient of the spice turmeric) in mice exposed to 6Gy whole-body y radiation.
Method:
A full-thickness skin wound was produced on the dorsum of Swiss albino mice treated with and without 25, 50, 100, 150 or 200mg/kg body weight of curcumin before exposure to 6Gy g radiation. Progression of wound contraction was monitored using video images of the wound at various days post-irradiation until full healing occurred. Mean wound healing times were also calculated.
Results:
Irradiation caused significant delay in wound contraction and healing times. However, treatment with curcumin resulted in a dose-dependent increase in contraction when compared with a control. Greatest contraction was observed for 100mg/kg curcumin, with statistically significant results at days three (p<0.009), six (p<0.05) and nine (p<0.05) post-irradiation for this dose. Complete healing was achieved by day 23 post-irradiation in the curcumin-treated irradiation group.
Conclusion:
Pretreatment with curcumin has a conducive effect on irradiated wounds. It could be a substantial therapeutic agent for ameliorating radiation-induced delay in wound repair in cases of combined injuries.
Declaration of interest:
None.