Curcumin differentially regulates TGF‐β1, its receptors and nitric oxide synthase during impaired wound healing

Abstract

Wound healing is a highly ordered process, requiring complex and coordinated interactions involving peptide growth factors of which transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is one of the most important. Nitric oxide is also an important factor in healing and its production is regulated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). We have earlier shown that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a natural product obtained from the plant Curcuma longa, enhances cutaneous wound healing in normal and diabetic rats. In this study, we have investigated the effect of curcumin treatment by topical application in dexamethasone-impaired cutaneous healing in a full thickness punch wound model in rats. We assessed healing in terms of histology, morphometry, and collagenization on the fourth and seventh days post-wounding and analyzed the regulation of TGF-beta1, its receptors type I (tIrc) and type II (tIIrc) and iNOS. Curcumin significantly accelerated healing of wounds with or without dexamethasone treatment as revealed by a reduction in the wound width and gap length compared to controls. Curcumin treatment resulted in the enhanced expression of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta tIIrc in both normal and impaired healing wounds as revealed by immunohistochemistry. Macrophages in the wound bed showed an enhanced expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in curcumin treated wounds as evidenced by in situ hybridization. However, enhanced expression of TGF-beta tIrc by curcumin treatment observed only in dexamethasone-impaired wounds at the 7th day post-wounding. iNOS levels were increased following curcumin treatment in unimpaired wounds, but not so in the dexamethasone-impaired wounds. The study indicates an enhancement in dexamethasone impaired wound repair by topical curcumin and its differential regulatory effect on TGF-beta1, it's receptors and iNOS in this cutaneous wound-healing model.

Wound healing by marigold (Calendula officinalis) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) Paste: A comparative approach

“…An interesting finding was observed in samples of turmeric group and marigold group at day 7 (D7), where newly formed keratinized layer of epidermis along with newly formed connective tissue was found under the scab infiltrated with reactive cells (Figure 6a, 6b). Curcumin may be useful in conditions of impaired wound healing, as it appears to induce endogenous production of TGF-β1 in the wound which can play an important role in improvement of wound repair (Mani et al, 2002). Other pro-aniogenic factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), angiogenic cytokines as interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factoralfa (TNF-α), and transformation growth factor-beta (TGF-β) may be related to the angiogenic activity evidenced in the C. officinalis extract (Carmeliet, 2000(Carmeliet, , 2003 which is helpful for healing.…”

Topical application of a sandal wood oil and turmeric based cream prevents radiodermatitis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy: a pilot study

“…19 True to this accreditation, turmeric has been shown to be useful in the treatment of various skin diseases, inflammation, abscess, eczema, leucoderma, bruises, wounds, urticaria, psoriasis and acne. 19 Scientific studies carried out during the past three decades have shown that turmeric and its chief phytochemical curcumin possess wound-healing, [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] anti-ageing, 31,32 anti-psoriatic [33][34][35] properties and are also effective against UV-induced skin damage [36][37][38][39][40] and chemical carcinogenesis [41][42][43][44][45][46] and provide remarkable symptomatic relief for cancer patients when applied topically. 47 Clinical studies have shown that daily intake of 6 g of curcumin during the course of radiotherapy reduces the severity of radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer.…”

Curcumin and its allied analogues: epigenetic and health perspectives - a review

“…Enhanced the formation of granulation tissue through increasing collagen and fibronectin (FN) expressions Mani et al (2002) Improved the muscle regeneration through modulating NF-κB activity Thaloor et al (1999) Suppressed the hydrogen peroxide in human fibroblasts and keratinocytes; Neutralised the activity of free radicals and inhibits cell proliferation in curcumin treated rats Gopinath et al (2004) Increased the synthesis of hexosamine, collagen, nitrite, DNA and histologic; Improved the collagen deposition and also enhances in fibroblast…”

“…Curcumin treatment enhanced the formation of granulation tissue through increasing collagen and fibronectin (FN) expressions that led to greater neo-vascularisation, cellular content and faster reepithelialisation through regulating the expression of nitric oxide synthase, TGF-β1, and its receptors of wound in hyperglycaemic rats (Mani et al 2002). Additionally, in an in vivo study curcumin improves the muscle regeneration through modulating the NF-κB activity during trauma (Thaloor et al 1999).…”