Curcumin improves tendon healing in rats: a histological, biochemical, and functional evaluation

Abstract

Curcumin, a compound extracted from the roots of Zingiberaceae, has been proposed as a treatment for tissue injury but studies are yet to be done on its effect on tendon healing. Therefore, we performed a series of experiments to test our hypothesis that curcumin has positive effects on tendon repair. Patellar tendon window defect was created in Sprague-Dawley rats and these were divided into two groups: (i) control and (ii) curcumin-treated. Curcumin (100 mg/kg body weight) was applied by oral gavage. Its potential for promoting tendon healing was assessed by histological evaluation, mRNA expression of tenocyte-related genes, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity, quantification of hydroxyproline (HOPro), and biomechanical testing. In this tendon injury model, curcumin significantly improved the healing properties as evidenced by extensive deposition of well-organized collagen fibers, decreased MDA levels, and increase in the biomechanical properties and MnSOD activity of the regenerated tendon tissues. The current study showed that curcumin can improve the quality of tendon rupture healing, and thus represents a promising strategy in the management of injured tendon tissue.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mediates tenogenic differentiation of tendon‐derived stem cells and tendon repair: accelerating tendon injury healing by intervening in its downstream signaling

“…In particular, patients with CF also have various abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system, such as low bone mineral density, muscle wasting, and cartilage abnormality (14)(15)(16)(17). Of interest, the CFTR activator, curcumin, has been demonstrated to promote the healing of tendon ruptures both in vitro and in vivo (18)(19)(20), which indicates that CFTR may also play a role in tendon tissues.…”

Nutraceutical supplement in the management of tendinopathies: a systematic review

“…The "teno-protection" is commonly practiced by rheumatologists, orthopaedists, and family physicians. Proponents of these treatments suggest that oral supplements of glucosamine and chondroit in sulphate (GlcN-CS) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] , vitamin C (vit C) [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] , hydrolyzed type 1 collagen (Col 1) 18 , L-arginine alpha-keto-glutarate (AAKG) [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] , curcumin [30][31][32][33][34] , boswellic acid (BA) [35][36][37][38] , methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) [39][40][41] , and bromelain [42][43][44] increase the concentration of these compounds in tendon context and may help to preserve, or even repair, the damaged tendons. As food supplements, these are not subjected to rigorous controls and licensing processes as drugs; even if some of these products received permissions to be commercialized as drugs in many countries.…”

Controlled release of curcumin from curcumin-loaded nanomicelles to prevent peritendinous adhesion during Achilles tendon healing in rats

“…15 In a rat tendon injury model, curcumin significantly improved the healing and function of injured tendon. 16 The improvement of tendon healing and function was through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which associated with well-organized collagen fiber and extensive deposition of collagen in the regenerated tendon tissues. 16 In this study, we proposed to use GNRs-1/curc@PMs by local administration with controlled release of curcumin to reduce tendon adhesion.…”

“…16 The improvement of tendon healing and function was through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which associated with well-organized collagen fiber and extensive deposition of collagen in the regenerated tendon tissues. 16 In this study, we proposed to use GNRs-1/curc@PMs by local administration with controlled release of curcumin to reduce tendon adhesion. We investigated the effects of GNRs-1/curc@PMs on tendon healing and adhesion in a rat model.…”

“…16 In this study, upon NIR irradiation, heat was locally generated due to Au nanorods. Au nanorods absorbed the irradiation, and heat was locally generated inside the nanomicelles.…”