Figure 1.

The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in the context of wound healing. Curcumin inhibits transforming growth factor (TGF)-β expression, thereby it may decrease TGF-β1-mediated fibroblast proliferation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) production seen in hypertrophic scars. Moreover, curcumin also inhibits nuclear-factor κB (NF-κB)-mediated transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation seen in chronic wounds and hypertrophic scars. It also sequesters radical oxygen species (ROS) through its antioxidant activity. T bars are used as a symbol of inhibition, the horizontal arrows are used as a symbol of facilitation, and bolded vertical arrows signify an increase (upward) or decrease (downward) end result.