Abstract
BackgroundMalnutrition resulting from protein and calorie deficiency continues to be a major concern worldwide especially in developing countries. Specific deficiencies in the protein intake can adversely influence reproductive performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin and curcumin nano-emulsion on protein deficient diet (PDD)-induced testicular atrophy, troubled spermatogenesis and decreased reproductive performance in male rats.MethodsJuvenile rats were fed the protein deficient diet (PDD) for 75 days. Starting from day 60 the rats were divided into 4 groups and given the corresponding treatments for the last 15 days orally and daily as follows: 1st group; curcumin group (C) received 50 mg/kg curcumin p.o. 2ndgroup; curcumin nano-form low dose group (NCL) received 2.5 mg/kg nano-curcumin. 3rd group; curcumin nano-form high dose group (NCH) received 5 mg/kg nano-curcumin. 4th group served as malnutrition group (PDD group) receiving the protein deficient diet daily for 75 days and received distilled water ingestions (5 ml/kg p.o) daily for the last 15 days of the experiment. A normal control group was kept under the same conditions for the whole experiment and received normal diet according to nutrition requirement center daily for 75 days and received distilled water ingestions (5 ml/kg p.o) daily for the last 15 days of the experiment.ResultsPDD induced significant (P < 0.05) reduction in serum testosterone level, sperm motility, testicular GSH, CAT, SOD, testicular cell energy (ATP, ADP and AMP), essential and non-essential amino acids in seminal plasma, an increase in testicular MDA, NOx, GSSG and 8-OHDG. Data was confirmed by histological examination and revealed pathological alteration in the PDD group. Ingestion of curcumin (50 mg/kg) and curcumin nano-emulsion (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) showed significant (P< 0.05) amelioration effects against PDD-induced disrupted reproductive performance as well as biochemical and pathological alterations and the overall results of the nano-emulsion (5 mg/kg) were comparable to curcumin (50 mg/kg).ConclusionsThe present study suggests that administration of curcumin nano-emulsion as a daily supplement would be beneficial in malnutrition- induced troubled male reproductive performance and spermatogenesis cases.
Highlights
Malnutrition resulting from protein and calorie deficiency continues to be a major concern worldwide especially in developing countries
The present study suggests that administration of curcumin nano-emulsion as a daily supplement would be beneficial in malnutrition- induced troubled male reproductive performance and spermatogenesis cases
Nano-emulsions which are nano-carriers composed of oil, surfactant/co-surfactant and an aqueous phase represent a very promising delivery system for curcumin as indicated by previous studies, which reported about 9 folds increase in oral bioavailability and better pharmacokinetic profile for curcumin upon encapsulation in nano-emulsion form [11, 12]. Effect of ingesting such nano-emulsions on male fertility has not been experimentally explored before and the present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin as contrasted to curcumin nano-emulsion in ameliorating protein deficient diet model-induced testicular atrophy, troubled spermatogenesis and decrease reproductive performance in male rats
Summary
Malnutrition resulting from protein and calorie deficiency continues to be a major concern worldwide especially in developing countries. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin and curcumin nano-emulsion on protein deficient diet (PDD)-induced testicular atrophy, troubled spermatogenesis and decreased reproductive performance in male rats. It is clinically known that among the several forms of under-nutrition, mild-tomoderate protein and/or energy malnutrition is the most common and frequently impairs the growth and development of reproductive system. (Zengiberaceae family) rhizomes, has been extensively used in ethnic medicine for centuries and has displayed a wide range of physiological and pharmacological activities [4]. It is present in the commonly consumed foodstuff and considered safe and is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunodulatory properties. Numerous researches suggest the protective action of curcumin against oxidative stress-mediated cardiomyopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, hepatic injury and testicular dysfunction [5,6,7]
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