Curcumin and Kolaviron Ameliorate Di‐n‐Butylphthalate‐Induced Testicular Damage in Rats

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the ameliorative effects of kolaviron (a biflavonoid from the seeds of Garcinia kola ) and curcumin (from the rhizome, Curcuma longa L.) on the di-n-butylphthalate (DBP)-induced testicular damage in rats. Administration of DBP to rats at a dose of 2 g / kg for 9 days significantly decreased the relative testicular weights compared to the controls, while the weights of other organs remained unaffected. Curcumin or kolaviron did not affect all the organ weights of the animals. While only DBP treatment significantly increased the testicular malondialdehyde level and gamma-glutamyl transferase activity ( γ -GT), it markedly decreased glutathione level, the testicular catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, sperm γ -GT activities and serum testosterone level compared to the control group. Data on cauda epididymal sperm count and live/dead ratio were not significantly affected in the DBPtreated rats. Alone, DBP treatment resulted in a 66% decrease in spermatozoa motility and a 77% increase in abnormal spermatozoa in comparison to control. DBP-treated rats showed marked degeneration of the seminiferous tubules with necrosis and defoliation of spermatocytes. The DBP-induced injuries in biochemical, spermatological parameters and histological structure of testis were recovered by treatment with kolaviron or curcumin. The pattern in the behaviour of these compounds might be correlated with their structural variations. Our results indicate that kolaviron and curcumin protect against testicular oxidative damage induced by DBP. The chemoprotective effects of these compounds may be due to their intrinsic antioxidant properties and as such may prove useful in combating phthalate-induced reproductive toxicity.Benzenedicarboxylic acid dibutyl ester, also known as butylphthalate or di-n-butylphthalate (DBP) ( fig. 1A), is widely used as a plasticizer in cellulose plastics, as a solvent for dye, and for a variety of consumer products [1]. Release of DBP to the environment can occur during production and also during incorporation of the phthalate into plastics. Because DBP is not bound to the final product, it can be released during use or disposal of the product. Thus, the general population is exposed to phthalates through consumer products, diet and medical devices [2].Phthalate esters have been implicated in the decline of human sperm counts [3] and testicular atrophy in an animal model [4]. The exact mechanisms involved in the formation of phthalate-induced testicular atrophy are not known, but recently it was shown that administration of antioxidant vitamins together with di-ethyl-hexylphthalate prevented phthalate ester-induced testicular atrophy in rats [5] suggesting that the formation of reactive oxygen species may be involved in the formation of testicular atrophy in phthalate-exposed rats.Curcumin obtained from the Curcuma longa rhizome is the major component of turmeric used as a spice to give the specific flavour and yellow colour to cu...

Mono-butyl phthalate-induced mouse testis injury is associated with oxidative stress and down-regulated expression of <i>Sox9</i> and <i>Dazl </i>

“…DBP dosed at 250, 500 and 2,000 mg/kg also markedly decreased the testicular GSH level, along with degeneration of the seminiferous tubules (Zhou et al, 2010). The DBP-induced injuries in biochemical, spermatological parameters and histological structure of testis could be recovered by treatment with kolaviron or curcumin which have antioxidative activity (Farombi et al, 2007). In addition, pathological levels of ROS are known to cause apoptosis of spermatozoa, resulting in cell death and a reduced sperm count (Agarwal et al, 2014).…”

Ameliorative Effects of Curcumin on the Seminiferous Epithelium in Metronidazole-Treated Mice

“…Protective effects of curcumin have been reported in oxidative damage induced by (Ilbey et al 2009;El-Demerdash et al 2009), and aflatoxin-induced biochemical changes and ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat testis (Mathuria and Verma 2007;Wei, Yan, and Zhou 2009). It has been reported that curcumin recovers the histological structure of the testis after di-nbutylphthalate-induced testicular damage (Farombi et al 2007). …”

Curcumin protects against gallic acid-induced oxidative stress, suppression of glutathione antioxidant defenses, hepatic and renal damage in rats

“…Curcumin, the principal component of the curry spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) used in many parts of the world as a spice and medical agent possesses anti-oxidant properties and has no toxic effects. [2][3][4][5] Gal acids are added to foods to prevent oxygen-induced lipid peroxidation as a result of its antioxidant properties. 6,7 However, the potential of Gal to function as antioxidant may be dependent on the dose and their molecular polarities, which could account for the controversial function of Gal as an antioxidant and pro-oxidant molecule.…”