After a burn, the use of a gel based on curcumin – a coloring in turmeric – would heal better while reducing pain and inflammation.
This spice is the delight of fine palates. But turmeric is also widely used in traditional medicine. Applying it in the form of a gel seems effective for a specific indication: light to moderate burns. Researchers from the David-Geffen School of Medicine (United States) confirm this, with supporting case studies. Appeared in BioDiscovery, their work delivers exciting results.
No scar
In pharmacies and on the Internet, turmeric extract – mostly made from curcumin – is available in powder form. In the form of a topical gel, however, it would have increased utility in the eyes of the American team. “The preparation allows penetration of the skin,” explains Dr. Madalene Heng, co-author of the work.
Curcumin, the main pigment of the spice, is in direct contact with the wound. Conversely, “absorbed orally, curcumin is very little assimilated by the body and does not work as well”, according to her. The study carried out on three patients confirms these statements.
Two children aged 11 and 2, as well as a 35-year-old woman, benefited from the gel as a treatment for second-degree burns on the face or hands. All of them ended up without a trace of the incident, while the burns tend to leave rather conspicuous scars.
Evolution of an 11-year-old patient with 2nd degree burns between day 5 and week 6
application of curcumin-based gel (Dr. Madalene Heng)
Less pain and inflammation
How to explain this phenomenon ? Curcumin naturally inhibits the enzyme phosphorylase kinase. This is involved in the healing of wounds but causes an inflammation process. These are the redness, swelling and pain observed in all patients. In just 5 minutes, the phosphorylase kinase triggers this mechanism, which activates 200 different genes.
If curcumin inhibits this enzyme, it does not contradict its action. On the contrary, the patients no longer had any trace of burns 6 weeks after the start of the study. Healing is therefore improved. The added bonus is that the spice helps reduce the pain and inflammation associated with this phenomenon.
This probably explains why turmeric has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Its use is recognized in digestive disorders. But the spice can also be indicated in various inflammatory diseases as well as stomach ulcers… Functions which are, for the moment, called “traditional”.
.
