Evaluation of curcumin effects on post-operative peritoneal adhesion in rats

The purpose of this study holds, for the first time, an evaluation of the intraperitoneal curcumin lavage on the development of post-operative intra-abdominal adhesions.

Thirty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups. The rats were administered anesthesia and underwent surgery in order to create intra-abdominal adhesions. Before the abdomen was closed, five lavage solutions of normal saline (control group), curcumin 1, 3, and 5% and hydrocortisone 1% were used for 1 min. After five days, the rats underwent laparatomy. Based on a histopathology evaluation and serum levels of hs-CRP, TNFα and Isoprostane, peritoneal adhesion severity were compared in different groups.

The groups that received curcumin 3% and 5% showed a significant decrease in TNFα, hs-CRP and Isoprostane serum concentrations compared to the normal saline group, however, these differences were not significant, between the other groups. The intensity of adhesions in the different groups of curcumin 1, 3 and 5% concentrations and hydrocortisone 1% were compared to the normal saline control group and no significant statistical difference was recorded.

Curcumin was not effective in post-operative peritoneal adhesion; however, further studies on curcumin lavage in higher concentrations are recommended.