Effect of curcumin on cadmium-induced oxidative testicular damage in rats

Abstract EN

Background : Exposure to cadmium is associated with various pathological conditions that include reproductive dysfunction.

Generation of oxidative stress is one of the plausible mechanisms for cadmiuminduced cellular deteriorations.

Curcumin is a promising natural drug against cancer, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Aim and Methods : The present study investigates the efficacy of curcumin to attenuate cadmium-induced oxidative damage in adult rat testicles.

A total of 40 male albino rats were divided into four groups (10 rats each).

The first group served as control and received corn oil only (5 ml / kg body weight).

Rats of the second group received cadmium at the dose of 25 mg / L of drinking water.

Rats of the third group received curcumin dissolved in corn oil at a dose of 15 mg / 5 ml / kg body weight while rats of the fourth group received both cadmium and curcumin with same mentioned dose and route of administration, for two months, the duration of the experiment.

Results and Conclusion : The use of curcumin in attenuating the damaged effects of cadmium on reproduction of male rats, improved its spermatogenic damage, decreased sperm count, testosterone level and inducing antioxidant defense.

The present study demonstrated that, administration of curcumin attenuated the adverse effects of cadmium in rats by inducing antioxidant defense mechanism.