Background: Curcumin is a component of turmeric, a medicinal comestible herb that possesses anti-inflammatory activity having the ability to heal oral ulcers, but its extremely low oral bioavailability hampers its application. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles were used for curcumin delivery to increase its bioavailability.
Aim of the Study: Is to compare the effects of curcumin-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles versus native curcumin on a chemically induced ulcer at the tip of the inferior surface of the tongue in Albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Seventy adult male Albino rats were divided into five groups. The negative control group (group I), the positive control group (group II), poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles treated group (group III), native Curcumin treated group (group IV) and curcumin loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles treated group (group V). In all groups except group I, rats were subjected to chemically induced ulcer in the tip of their tongues. Additionally in group III, group IV and group V rats were administrated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles vehicle (100mg/kg), native curcumin suspension (100mg/kg) and curcumin loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (100mg/kg) respectively by oral gavage, daily till the sacrifice dates. Rats were sacrificed at either six or twelve days. Specimens were processed and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain, Masson's Trichrome stain, and Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) antibody.
Results: Histological examination confirmed that nano-curcumin showed higher re-epithelization and better healing potential compared to other groups. Histochemical and immuno-histochemical examination proved that nano-curcumin displayed an increase in the collagen content and wide immunoexpression in the TGF-β respectively which indicated better healing effect than native curcumin.
Conclusion: Administration of nano- curcumin showed better wound healing activity compared to that of native curcumin at the equivalent dose level and at the same time.