Radhakrishna G Pillai
University of Calicut, India
Title: Curcumin prolongs graft survival in mouse corneal allografts.
Biography
Biography: Radhakrishna G Pillai
Abstract
Curcumin is a dietary pigment from the plant Curcuma longa with known antioxidant, antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is quite safe and has been ingested by people for centuries without significant reports of intoxication. Acute and subchronic toxicology studies showed limited adverse effects. The immunosuppressive and graft protective effects of curcumin were studied in mouse corneal transplant models. Curcumin significantly increased the mean survival time (MST) to 32 days, as compared to 14 days among non treated controls. After transplantation there was significant increase in the level of chemokines and cytokines in corneal tissue, which was reduced by an ip treatment with 50mg/kg curcumin for 7 days. On treatment with curcumin a decrease in the expression level of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) mRNA and production of nitric oxide by the corneal tissue were also observed. This study for the first time demonstrates the effectiveness of curcumin as a novel immunosuppressant after corneal transplantation. This also reveals the protective effect of curcumin on graft survival.
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