© Carestream Health, Inc.

Fluorescence Imaging of Ringworm Infection and

Curcumin Treatment.

Rao V. L. Papineni*, Sean Orton, Gilbert Feke and Benjamin Geldholf.

Carestream Molecular Imaging, 4 Research Dr., Woodbridge, CT, 06525, USA.

*rao.papineni1@carestreamhealth.com

IntroductionRingworm is a common fungal infection that appears as patches of red ring on the skin. The remedies include natural remedies such as curcumin. Curcumin, 1,7-Bis(4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, is derived from turmeric plant, a member of the ginger family. We have used the near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging to image the infection and subsequent treatment using topical curcumin application. An optical imaging set up capable of imaging the arm of a human subject is described here. In this work, non invasive autofluorescence imaging was performed utilizing the natural fluorescence resultant of the fungal infection. Changes in fluorescence as a result of the curcumin treatment are also presented. These results indicate the potential of utilizing such imaging approaches for various dermatological conditions.

Molecular Imaging - Wisdom To See For Maladies To Flee"Dr. Rao V. L. Papineni

Carestream is a trademark of Carestream Health, Inc. Curcumin was kindly provided by Dr. Ahmed from University of Miami.

Ringworm and Curcumin.

Fig.1 Ringworm, also known as Tinea, is a fungal infection that can occur at any region of the body. It is generally characterized by a slightly raised, usually red or brown colored patch of skin, with a light center, forming a ring shape(Medicinenet.com). Curcumin (right inset) is the Curcumin is the main curcuminoid of the Indian Spice turmeric (Right), a member of the ginger family. Turmeric has been used in Indian Ayurvedic Medicine since 1900 BC in treatment of several ailments (Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 2007). Curcumin has been used topically treat conditions such as ringworm The therapeutic potential of curcumin in shown below (curcumin.co.nz).

Summary

Microcirculation changes likely due to ringworm infection, was determined by planar optical imaging utilizing natural fluorescence.

Although this is a Case Study, the feasibility of determining the physiological changes in response to the dermatological conditions by optical imaging approach is promising.

Additional studies with various derivatives of Curcumin will provide details on the mechanistic role of the polyphenols in anti-infection.

Molecular Imaging of Microcirculation During Infection and Cure - A Case Study

P686

Fig. 2 The above schematic describes Carestream Developmental phase “Planar Optical Imaging set-up” designed to image human Arm. A 400-Watt Xenon illuminator is applied to image the natural fluorescence at the interphalangeal joints and/or the whole Arm.(U.S. Patent -Papineni et al. In the process). We have shown earlier the capability of noninvasive imaging of microcirculation (Right Panel) using autofluorescence (Papineni 2010, presented at the clinical studies session of WMIC).

Microcirculation Imaging - Optical Imager

400 watt

CCD

EX 620

Hand

Curcumin

The Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin.

Fig.3 Ringworm infection of a 25 yr caucasian volunteer. Topical treatment (> 1h) with curcumin (in peanut oil) was carried out at the infection site on the right arm. While the infection site (smaller patch) on the left arm was left untreated. The subject’s arms were imaged Pre and Post Curcumin treatment using the settings in the right panel.

Exposure Type: Standard ExposureExposure Time: 2.000 min.Exposure: 1 of 1Total Experiment: 120.00 secs.X-binning: NoY-binning: NoIllumination Source: Multi-wavelengthf-Stop: 0.95FOV: 135.0 mmFocal Plane: 0.0 mmExcitation Filter: 630Emission Filter: 700

Parameters for Fluorescence Imaging of Microcirculation

Fig. 4 Fluorescence imaging of microcirculation at the ringworm infection site. The increased perfusion was observed at the infection site and is denoted by the dotted yellow arrow. The microcirculation seem to change with the levels of infection and the ringworm treatment (comparing between the treated and untreated).

Pre-Curcumin–Right Arm 24 Hr after Curcumin Treatment

Untreated – Left Arm 24 Hr after no Curcumin Treatment