Complications of Hot Turmeric Use in Acute Trauma

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial behavior of curcumin-conjugated gold nanoparticles

Owing to the rise in multidrug-resistant bacterial diseases and the dwindling supply of newer antibiotics, it is crucial to discover newer compounds or modify current compounds for more effective antimicrobial therapies. According to reports, more than 80% of bacterial infections have been linked to bacterial biofilms. In addition to having antimicrobial properties, the hydrophobic polyphenol curcumin (Cur) also inhibits quorum sensing. The application of curcumin was constrained by its weak aqueous solubility and quick degradation. Over the past years, nanotechnology-based biomaterials with multi-functional characteristics have been engineered with high interest. The present study focused on the development of nano-biomaterials with excellent testifiers for bacterial infection in vitro. In this study, water dispersibility and stability of curcumin were improved through conjugation with gold nanoparticles. The successful synthesis of curcumin-conjugated gold nanoparticles (Cur-AuNPs) was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed an average particle size of about 10-13 nm. The antibacterial characteristics in terms of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cur-AuNP treatments were found to be lowest than those with AuNPs and Cur treatments. The quantitative analysis revealed the superior antibacterial characteristics of Cur-AuNP-treated bacterial cells compared to the untreated samples. In addition, curcumin-conjugated AuNPs, produced more reactive oxygen species and increased the membrane permeability. Besides, the biocompatibility of Cur-AuNPs was also assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Statistical analyses revealed the augmented MG-63 cell proliferation in Cur-AuNPs compared to those with Cur and AuNPs treatments. Overall, Cur-AuNPs exhibited enhanced antibacterial, and antibiofilm characteristics and cytocompatibility.

Effectiveness of topical curcumin for treatment of mastitis in breastfeeding women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of topical curcumin in reducing breast inflammation in women suffering from lactational mastitis.

METHODS

A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study including 63 breastfeeding women with lactational mastitis were randomly assigned to receive curcumin topical cream, one pump every 8 hours for 3 days (n=32) or topical moisturizer as placebo (n=31). Using an index for severity of breast inflammation, all of the patients had moderate breast inflammation before entering the study. The outcome of treatment was evaluated using the same index at 24, 48 and 72 hours of starting the treatment.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between two study groups regarding the baseline characteristics such as age (p=0.361) and duration of lactation (p=0.551). After 72-hour of therapy, patients in curcumin groups had significantly lower rate of moderate (p=0.019) and mild (p=0.002) mastitis. Patients in curcumin group had significantly lower scores for tension (p<0.001), erythema (p<0.001) and pain (p<0.001), after 72-hour of treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results of the current study indicate that topical preparation of curcumin successfully decrease the markers of lactational mastitis such as pain, breast tension and erythema within 72 hours of administration without side effects. Thus, topical preparation of curcumin could be safely administered for those suffering from lactational mastitis after excluding infectious etiologies.