Turmeric Extract as an Alternative Diagnostic Dye for Fluorescein Dye

Abstract

A true-experimental type of research in which a range of 10%, 20% and 30% of ophthalmic form of a pre-formulated diagnostic dye using crude extract of curcumin and 1.4% polyvinyl alcohol as a solvent. The pre-formulated ophthalmic dye was tested in 9 mice’s as an animal model for corneal ulcer which is induced by direct contact facilitated with 0.9%NaCl for growth of staphylococcus aureus and 3 mice’s serves as control. The degree of irritancy was also considered by doing “Draize-Eye Irritation Test”. The proposed alternative diagnostic dye was compared to the synthetic fluorescein dye in terms of staining, yellowish-green hyper-fluorescence, draining mechanism, and potential ability to localize area of ulcerations. Ophthalmic parameters was also compared based on the range of concentrations and intensity of yellowish green hyper-fluorescence was analysed through absorption spectrum of wavelength in UV-Visible spectroscopy. All results were gathered and analysed for cause-relationship effect. The study showed that the pre-formulated alternative diagnostic dye can potentially replace the synthetic fluorescein dye in the market. Since, the result of studies revealed that it has a good staining affinity in corneal epithelium, drains through physiological mechanism, can localized corneal ulcerations and practically non-irritant at pH: 4.70. But have less fluorescence due to possible interference in the binding of the curcumin and polyvinyl alcohol, pH level, solvent used, concentrations and presence of other functional groups present in turmeric extract. Thus, requires further studies on how to enhance the yellowish-green fluorescence of curcumin presence and adjustment in some parameters in the formulation of the alternative diagnostic dye.