The effect of Curcuminvs. Curcumin Combined Antibiotic Ointmentson the Healing of skin wound
Emad K. Abbas1, Hussein H. Echrish2, Sabaa A. Mohammed3

1Department of human anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Basra, Iraq

2Department of Histopathological Teaching Hospital University of Basra, Iraq

3Department of Pharmacognosy and Medical Plants College of Pharmacy, University of Basra, Iraq

Corresponding Author E-mail: emad66.k_iraq@yahoo.com

Abstract: Background:Turmeric is typically used as a spicy food preservative and colorant. It has been proved that curcumin has a wide range of biological effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and curcumin activity that can improve antibiotic activity on the wounds. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Curcumin with and without antibiotics on skin wound treatment. Materials and Methods: The protocol was approved by the animal house in medical college / Basra university. This study used nine male rabbits aged about 6 months and an average weight of (1.083 g). Each group consists of 3 rabbits: control group (normal saline) A, topical curcumin in group B, topical curcumin, and tetracycline ointment in group C. Regular treatments were given to rabbits in therapeutic groups. Result: The lowest Mean ± SDof swelling of suturing area was noted in both groups that treated by curcumin alone (9.07 ± 0.97 vs 15±1 mm, p value = 0.002) and that treated with curcumine and antibiotic (9.1±0.9vs 15±1  mm, p value = 0.002)  versus the control group ( that treated by normal saline) and the lowest Mean ± SD of elevation of suture line was noted in both group that treated by curcumin alone (2.63 ± 0.06 vs 4.07±0.21 mm, p value >0.001) and that treated with curcumin and antibiotic (2.7 ± 0.2 vs 4.07±0.21 mm, p value =0.001) versus control group. There is no significant statistical difference between the Mean ± SD neither of swelling of suture area nor of elevation of suture lines of groups that treated by curcumin alone and group that treated with curcumin and antibiotic [(9.07 ± 0.97 vs 9.1 ±0.9, p value=0.97),(2.63±0.06 vs 2.7 ± 0.2, p value=0.61) respectively]. The histopathological evaluation is consistent with morphological  changes as at day 3 of wound healing in both groups that treated by curcumine with and without antibiotic, there is formation a thin layer of keratin and absence of features that indicate delay wound healing such as hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltrate of (Neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes) and debris, which are detected in control group. Furthermore, at day 7 of control group, there is decrease of inflammation, presence of gap between the two edgesof the wound but no keratin formation. No clear histopathological difference in wound healing between tested groups that treated by curcumin with and without antibiotic. Conclusion: There issignificant clinical and histological evidences that the curcumin not only prevent delay of wound healing but it is also enhanced wound healing. No significant difference in using curcumin alone or combine it with local antibiotic.

Keywords: Antibiotic; Curcuma long; Curcumin; Wound healing

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