Phytosomal curcumin alleviates collagen-induced arthritis by downregulating Th17 and upregulating Treg cell responses in rats

• Published in: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
• Main Authors: Mahnaz Ramezani, Nahid Zainodini, Reza Nosratabadi, Yaser Yousefpoor, Zahra Taghipour, Mitra Abbasifard, Mohammad Reza Rahmani
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2022
• Subjects: phytosomal curcumin; rheumatoid arthritis; collagen; th17; treg; anti-inflammation; curcuma longa; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.4103/2221-1691.360562; https://doaj.org/article/535d211ed5aa49dd9f1317bd47d10023

Objective: To explore the effects of a nano-formulation of curcumin (phytosomal curcumin) on the clinical and pathological symptoms of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were immunized with an emulsion containing bovine type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant and then administered phytosomal curcumin post-immunization. Clinical symptoms and histological analysis of the synovial tissues were performed. The effect of phytosomal curcumin on Th17 and Treg parameters was also evaluated. Results: Phytosomal curcumin reduced the clinical severity and paw swelling in CIA-induced rats, which was accompanied by a reduction in the number of inflammatory cell infiltration in the synovial tissue. Additionally, treatment with phytosomal curcumin significantly inhibited CIA-associated mediators as well as increased the anti-inflammatory mediators in comparison to the control groups. Conclusions: Phytosomal curcumin could improve CIA autoimmune responses and can be considered a potential candidate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.