Curcumin Promotes The Healing Of Corneal Alkali Burn In Rats

Objective:To explore the protective effects of curcumin on corneal alkali burn in rats. and explore its mechanism of action.Methods:All SD rats were divided into three groups(nomal group,model group and curcumin group),corneal alkali burn model was made in model group and curcumin group.and then rats in nomal group or model group received only vehicle. those in curcumin group received 200mg/kgBW curcumin and carboxymethylcellulose(CMC).The content of corneal malondialdehyde (MDA)was determined by thiobarbituric acid test(TBA),the activity of corneal superoxide dismutase(SOD) was determined by chemical colorimetry test at day1, 3,7,14,28 after akali burn.Stastical analysis was conducted to analyse the activity of SOD and the contents of MDA.corneal tissue was observed by slit lamp, light and electron microscope. Length and area of corneal neovascularization were observed.Results:1.There were abundant corneal neovascularizations in the model group,the neovascularization distributed derangemently and intensively.The corneal neovascularizations distributed regulately and rarely in the curcumin group,the corneal opacity is weakened obviously. 2.fewer neovascularities,inflammatory cells and smaller caliber in curcumin group were observed under the microscope.3.The endochylema of the neovascularization's endothelial cell is abundant and nucleus of the neovascularization's endothelial cell is big in the model group under transmission electron microscope.The neovascularization's endothelial cell appearance immature in the curcumin group.4.compared with nomal group, activity of SOD decreased obviously and the contents of MDA increased markedly in model group.Compared with model group,activity of SOD increased obviously,and the contents of MDA decreased markedly in curcumin group after curcumin treatment . The difference between groups are significant.Corneal inflammatory response was alleviated in curcumin group.Conclusions:1. The mean of alkali burn can induce corneal neovascularization in rats while curcumin can inhibit the neovascularization in certain digree.2. Curcumin has protective effects on alkali burned cornea.The protective effect of curcumin against alkali burned cornea injury may result from its antioxidative property.