Topical composition of ginger and turmeric results in better healing after steroid use

The publication:

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A combination of curcumin and ginger extract improves abrasion wound healing in corticosteroid-impaired hairless rat skin

Summary of the abstract

Hairless rats were topically treated with a combination of 10% curcumin and 3% ginger extract (or with each agent alone) for a 21-day period. Following this, the rats were treated topically with Temovate (corticosteroid) for an additional 15 days. At the end of the treatment period, superficial abrasion wounds were induced in the treated skin.

Abrasion wounds healed more slowly in the skin of Temovate-treated rats than in skin of control animals. Healing was more rapid in skin of rats that had been pretreated with either curcumin or ginger extract alone or with the combination of curcumin-ginger extract.

Collagen production was increased and matrix metalloproteinase-9 production was decreased. In none of the rats was there any indication of skin irritation during the treatment phase or during wounding and repair.

Taken together, these data suggest that a combination of curcumin and ginger extract might provide a novel approach to improving structure and function in skin and, concomitantly, reducing formation of nonhealing wounds in “at-risk” skin.

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Comments:

Increased collagen production and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9 production may have implications in arthritis

While this study used a topical application to promote skin healing, especially after the application of topical corticosteroids, it may have implications beyond wound healing.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (which was shown in this study to be decreased) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, autoimmune disease, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, idiopathic uveitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as diverse pathologic conditions characterized by excessive fibrosis.

Corticosteroids may inhibit healing, as demonstrated on skin in this study. It may be that those using systemic corticosteroids could benefit from a topical composition of ginger and curcumin, though further studies would be needed to confirm this speculation.

It is noteworthy that this study confirmed, at least when topically applied to the skin, that ginger and turmeric (curcumin is a major component of turmeric) result in greater benefits when used in combination than was observed when either was used separately.

Banjo is composed of ginger, turmeric and additional plant extracts. It is not yet available in topical form, but that application is anticipated.