Abstract
Background According to previous studies, oral administration of curcumin elucidates anti-inflammatory effect irrespective of its poor bioavailability. This study aims to measure the efficacy of lyophilized curcumin extracts with iontophoresis in arthritic rat models. Methods Lyophilization and characterization of curcumin using the standard HPTLC method was carried out followed by induction of inflammatory arthritis in male albino rats. The animals were then treated with curcumin in three different forms, i.e., oral curcumin (OCU), oral curcumin with topical application (OCU + TOCU), and oral curcumin along with iontophoretically applied curcumin (OCU + IOCU). Various objective variables including body weight, paw edema, arthritic scores, and hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as histopathological examinations were conducted. Results All the curcumin-treated groups showed significant alleviation of arthritic condition (p∗ < 0.05) when compared with arthritic controls. Group V (OCU + IOCU) demonstrated maximum therapeutic effect by restoring the body weight, decreasing the paw edema, and normalizing the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and leukocyte count, when compared with other experimental rat groups (p∗∗ < 0.01). Conclusions Iontophoretic administration of curcumin may ameliorate arthritic symptoms significantly, and the effect is assumed to be due to better penetration and enhanced bioavailability. Geriatrics patients are supposed to be benefited fairly by this technique.
Highlights
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory systemic disorder that primarily affects smaller joints characterized by periods of severe pain, stiffness, and swelling and destruction of the bones and cartilage [1, 2]
Analysis of the Lyophilized Extract of Curcumin longa. e highperformance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of the lyophilized extract of Curcumin longa showed the presence of curcumin, the active ingredient, with an Retardation factor (Rf) value 0.47. e method for quantitative analysis of curcumin was validated with regard to its specificity, precision, accuracy, and linearity. e specificity of the method was ascertained by analyzing standard and samples. e spot for curcumin in the sample was confirmed by comparing the Rf value and the spectrum of the spot with that of standard, and the linearity is obtained which is shown in Figure 1. e average recovery percentage value was found to be 131.26 to 125.76 ± 1.33
On comparing the three experimental rat groups treated with curcumin in different forms, i.e., oral curcumin (OCU), oral with plain topical application of curcumin (TOCU), and oral with iontophoretically applied curcumin (IOCU) further referred to as group III, IV, and V, respectively, it was observed that significant reduction in body weight was found in all groups (p < 0.01)
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory systemic disorder that primarily affects smaller joints characterized by periods of severe pain, stiffness, and swelling and destruction of the bones and cartilage [1, 2]. Phytomedicines and chemical entities derived from plant sources have drawn global attention for their involvement in the treatment of various crippling disorders [7, 8]. One such compound is curcumin, which is the main active ingredient of Curcuma longa (turmeric) used as an additive and condiment in preparing Indian food since time. Group V (OCU + IOCU) demonstrated maximum therapeutic effect by restoring the body weight, decreasing the paw edema, and normalizing the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and leukocyte count, when compared with other experimental rat groups (p∗∗ < 0.01). Geriatrics patients are supposed to be benefited fairly by this technique
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