Synergistic Effect of Nanocurcumin and Platelet Rich Plasma on Resolving Experimentally Induced Osteoarthritis in Albino Rats

An efficient therapeutic approach for osteoarthritis (OA) is yet to be discovered. In the current study, we evaluated coadministration of nanocurcumin (NCur) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Thirty male albino rats weighing 180± 20 gm were divided into 5 groups, 6 rats each. The first group was injected with saline (Control group). To induce osteoarthritis in the other four groups, rats were injected with 2 mg of monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA) in a total volume of 50 ul of saline. All injections were done in the right knee joint through the infra-patellar ligament to induce osteoarthritis. Two weeks after injection of MIA, one group was left untreated (Osteoarthritic group) and another group received 200 mg/kg NCur through gastric intubation for 14 consecutive days. A fourth group was intra-articularly injected with 150 ul activated PRP. The final group was concurrently treated by both PRP injection and NCur gavage. Fifteen days post treatment, radiography and Mankin scoring of joint lesions beside serum inflammatory cytokines were analyzed. Lowest Mankin scores with normal radiographic picture of joint structure and normal serum levels of IL6, IL1β and TNFα were observed in rats concomitantly treated with PRP and NCur. It can be concluded that concurrently use of nanocurcumin and platelet rich plasma is a potential efficient therapy for osteoarthritis and can greatly restore joint structure and function.