Therapeutic effect of curcumin against nicotine-induced reproductive dysfunction in male rats

Abstract

Objectives: Nicotine is the major component of cigarette smoke, which causes injurious effects on reproductive system and adversely affects spermatogenesis and fertilizing potential of sperm. The current study aimed to clarify the possible protective effect of curcumin against nicotine-induced testicular toxicity, inflammation and oxidative stress in rats. Material and Methods: Forty male wistar rats were divided into four groups. (1) Control, (2) Nicotine, (3) Curcmin and (4) Nicotine + curcumin. Cytokines, inflammatory mediators, sexual hormones, oxidant and antioxidant parameters were assessed in all groups. Results and Conclusion: Intraperitoneal injection of adult rats with nicotine for eight weeks showed significant reductions in the weight of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, sexual hormones, antioxidants, sperm concentration and sperm motility. While significantly increased cytokines and inflammatory mediators, superoxide anion and lipid peroxides as well as the percentage of dead sperms and the rate of abnormal sperms. However, co-administration of curcumin with nicotine prevented the degenerative changes induced by nicotine, significantly reduced oxidative stress parameters, cytokines and inflammatory mediators and restored the biochemical changes occurred in the testis tissues as well as sperm characteristics.