Transition metallo-curcumin complexes: a new hope for endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a debilitating gynecological disorder in women of reproductive age. Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, provides a definitive diagnosis of the disease. Current treatments, including hormonal therapy and pain medication, are often associated with undesirable side effects limiting their long-term usage. This calls for exploring newer diagnostic and therapeutic options with minimal side effects. Curcumin is an established anti-endometriotic agent with inherent fluorescent properties; however, poor bioavailability limits its clinical utility. To address this shortcoming, various transition metals were conjugated with curcumin to improve its stability, specificity and pharmacological properties. The chemical stability, hemocompatibility and ability of the synthesized metallo-curcumin complexes (MCCs) to ameliorate endometriotic lesions were investigated. While all of the MCCs exhibited low hemolytic activity, their chemical and biological activities were largely dependent on the nature of the metal ion conjugated to the curcumin molecule. Copper-curcumin and nickel-curcumin complexes demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy evidenced by enhanced antioxidant activity, selective cytotoxicity and increased accumulation in endometriotic cells mediated by an energy-dependent active transport process.

Results of non-union of humerus treated with retrograde humeral nail.

Treating non-union of humerus fracture is a surgical challenge with variable outcome. We report series of 51 adult patients of aseptic non-union of humerus from 1998 to 2010 treated retrograde humeral nail. The mean age of patient was 54 years with 33 females and 18 males. The mean duration of non-union was 8 months. In 48 out of 51 cases (94 %), union was achieved at mean duration of 10.1 months. Thirty-two out of 51 patients needed bone grafting. Three patients had post-operative radial nerve neuropraxia which fully recovered. At last visit, mean Constant score for shoulder was 83 and mean Mayo score for elbow 78. Our series with this implant shows excellent union rates for extra articular humeral non-unions in adults.