The effect of curcumin on corneal neovascularization in rabbit eyes.

PURPOSE To investigate the anti-angiogenic effect of topical curcumin on corneal neovascularization in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS One week after suturing, six eyes were treated with balanced salt solution (BSS) (group A), and six eyes were treated with curcumin 40, 80, or 160 micromol/L (groups B, C, and D, respectively), topically two times a day. After one week, light microscopy was used to analyze corneal neovascularization. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in the corneal tissue was measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the activation of NF-kappaB was examined by immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS Seven days after treatment, the sizes of the neovascularized areas were significantly reduced in groups B (50.1% +/- 6.7%), C (43.2% +/- 8.1%), and D (29.5% +/- 7.8%) compared with group A (69.5% +/- 1.5%) (p < 0.05). The corneal VEGF mRNA levels were significantly lower in groups C and D than they were in group A (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescent staining showed that phospho-NF-kappaB staining of the corneal tissue was weaker in group C than it was in groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS Topical application of curcumin was useful in reducing experimental corneal neovascularization and can be used to inhibit angiogenesis in the cornea.