Oral administration of curcumin (Curcuma longa) can attenuate the neutrophil inflammatory response in zymosan-induced arthritis in rats

Abstract

PURPOSE:To evaluate the effect of curcumin in the acute phase of zymosan-induced arthritis. METHODS:Twenty-eight male rats were subjected to intra-articular infiltration of zymosan of both knees and, in four the infiltration was made with saline. The animals were divided into five groups second received every six hours by gavage: corn oil by (positive and negative control); curcumin (100 mg/kg); prednisone 1 mg/kg/day; prednisone 8 mg/kg. All animals were sacrificed after six, 12, 24 and 48 hours of the infiltration. The knees were removed for evaluation of neutrophil infiltration. The number of neutrophils was counted by computer-assisted analysis of the images. The neutrophil infiltrate was stratified into four grades: 0 = normal; + = mild; ++/+++ = moderate; > ++++ = severe. The results were compared using the Mann-Whitney test and the variance by Kruskal-Wallis test adopting a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). RESULTS:Curcumin reduces inflammatory activity in the first six hours after zymosan-induced arthritis when compared to saline (p<0.01). This was also observed in animals subjected to administration of prednisone (1 mg/kg) and those treated with prednisone (8 mg/kg). Curcumin was more effective than lower doses of prednisone in the first six hours after induction of the arthritis. After 12, 24 and 48 hours, curcumin does not have the same anti-inflammatory effects when compared to prednisone. After 48 hours, prednisone is more effective than curcumin in reducing the inflammatory infiltrate regardless of the dose of prednisone used. CONCLUSION:Oral administration of curcumin reduces inflammation in the first six hours after experimentally zymosan-induced arthritis.

Biological and therapeutic activities, and anticancer properties of curcumin

“…A recent study indicated that oral administration of curcumin was able to attenuate the neutrophil inflammatory response against zymosan-induced arthritis in rats (38). Furthermore, Panahi et al argued that curcuminoid treatment represents an effective and safe alternative treatment for osteoarthritis (39).…”

Claudin-3 and occludin content in the glands of colonic mucosa devoid from fecal stream submitted to topical intervention with oil extract of Curcuma longa

“…zThese substances can reduce the epithelial damage, improve the inflammation and increase the mucous layer that recovers the colonic mucosa devoid of the fecal stream [1][2][3] . Curcumin has been used as a substance for the prevention and treatment of many organ and tissue disorders, most of which are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress 33,34 . Curcumin alleviates oxidative stress due to its chemical structure functioning as a natural free radical scavenger reducing the inflammatory process in chronic diseases and regulates inflammatory and pro-inflammatory pathways related with colitis 14,34 .…”

“…Curcumin has been used as a substance for the prevention and treatment of many organ and tissue disorders, most of which are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress 33,34 . Curcumin alleviates oxidative stress due to its chemical structure functioning as a natural free radical scavenger reducing the inflammatory process in chronic diseases and regulates inflammatory and pro-inflammatory pathways related with colitis 14,34 . The substance was able to scavenger, in a concentration-dependent way, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, peroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, peroxynitrite anion, hypochlorous acid and hydrogen peroxide.…”

Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders

“…The active ingredient is diferuloylmethane, a yellow phenolic pigment commonly known as curcumin, which has a multifaceted beneficial action in various fields of pathology (diabetes, cancer, inflammation, oxidative stress) due to its ability to favourably influence a variety of signalling pathways and mediators [44]. In a rat model of arthritis it has been shown to ameliorate the joint inflammation (evaluated by the neutrophil infiltrate density), in the first six hours after the arthritis-inducing event (zymosan infiltration) being even more effective than a low dose of prednisone [45].…”