title: Curcumin: a novel therapeutic for burn pain and wound healing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Managing burn injury-associated pain and wounds is a major unresolved clinical problem. Opioids, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants and anticonvulsants remain the most common forms of analgesic therapy to treat burn patients. However, prolonged treatment with these drugs leads to dose escalation and serious side effects. Additionally, severe burn wounds cause scarring and are susceptible to infection. Recent encouraging findings demonstrate that curcumin, a major bioactive component found in turmeric, is a natural pharmacotherapeutic for controlling both severe burn pain and for improved wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article covers current pr-clinical and clinical studies on the analgesic and wound healing effects. Particular emphasis has been placed on studies aimed at developing improved curcumin delivery vehicles that increase its bioavailability. Based on the available evidence, a hypothesis is proposed that the dual beneficial effects of curcumin, analgesia and enhanced wound healing are mediated through common anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emerging studies have demonstrated that curcumin is a promising investigational drug to treat both pain and wounds. The adequate control of severe burn pain, particularly over the long courses required for healing, as well improvements in burn wound healing are unmet clinical needs.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Battlefield Pain Management Research Task Area , 3698 Chambers Pass, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 , USA +1 210 539 2472 ; +1 210 539 1460 ; john.l.clifford2@us.army.mil.
authors.forename: Bopaiah
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cheppudira
authors.forename: Marcie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGhee
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mares
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petz
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Devore
authors.forename: Dayna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Loyd
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Clifford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D059226:Nociceptive Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003474:Curcumin