Curcumin improves asthenozoospermia by inhibiting reactive oxygen species reproduction through nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 activation

Abstract

We conducted this study for the purpose of evaluating the protective mechanisms of curcumin against oxidative stress in asthenozoospermic individuals. Asthenozoospermic individuals were grouped into AS group, curcumin treatment group and brusatol + curcumin treatment group. The sperm motility was measured by computer‐aided sperm analysis. We conducted flow cytometry and spectrophotometry to assess the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Chlortetracycline (CTC) was used to examine the acrosomal reaction of spermatozoa. Also, Western blotting was carried to measure antioxidant gene Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor) expression level. As our results shown, treatment with curcumin significantly decreased ROS formation and MDA production, compared with spermatozoa of AS group; however, Nrf2 inhibitor, Brusatol, inhibited Nrf2 expression and sperm function. Our results have shown that curcumin might protect spermatozoa by regulating Nrf2 level.

The Effect of Adding Different Levels of Curcumin and Its Nanoparticles to Extender on Post-Thaw Quality of Cryopreserved Rabbit Sperm

“…In light of this, several reports indicated that cryopreservation induced alteration in DNA integrity, lipid peroxidation, ROS, cholesterol content, capacitation [ 34 ], and acrosome reaction in spermatozoa and resulted in failure male fertility potential [ 5 , 7 , 17 ]. However, it has been reported that curcumin has a protective effect on DNA damage, normal development of testicular tissue and avoidance of spermatogenic cell apoptosis [ 12 , 15 , 18 ]. Studies have shown that CU has poor aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, instability, rapid metabolism, and short half-life [ 18 ].…”

“…Curcumin is an important natural polyphenolic compound, which has been broadly applied for multimodal uses, such as cosmetic agents, food processing, and in some medical preparations. Curcumin has been reported to be effective in improving sperm mobility in asthenozoospermia patients [ 12 ], owing to its antioxidant capacity, and free radical scavenging [ 12 , 13 ]. Due to its safety, low toxicity and efficacy use in human and animals’ experiments, the US Food and Drug Administration has recommended curcumin as “generally regarded as safe” [ 14 ].…”

“…Reports exhibited that the use of nanoparticles can enhance semen quality and freezability by decreasing the OS and protection the spermatozoa from cryo-damage [ 7 , 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Although, several previous studies have demonstrated that curcumin nanoparticles (CUNPs) could improve sperm kinetics, motion characteristics and testis function subjected to the induced OS in cryopreserved spermatozoa of different mammalian species [ 12 , 15 , 18 , 19 ]; however, no previous report explore the protective role of CUNPs in cryopreserved rabbit semen. Moreover, studies of cryogenic injuries and ultrastructure of spermatozoa are important for understanding the machinery effects on sperm cryogenic, and thus, enhancing cryopreservation procedures.…”

Natural products and phytochemical nanoformulations targeting mitochondria in oncotherapy: an updated review on resveratrol

“…In the current section, we discuss the impact of naturally occurring compounds on mitochondria to direct the next sections about the special relationship of resveratrol and mitochondria in cancer therapy. Curcumin is one of the most important components of Curcuma longa with excellent therapeutic impacts including anti-tumor [123], hepatoprotective [124], cardioprotective [125], anti-diabetic [126], antioxidant [127] and anti-inflammatory [128]. Newly published articles have shed some light on the ability of curcumin in targeting mitochondria.…”

“…Emodin is an anthraquinone derivative with pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and neuroprotective [127]. Emodin supplementation is suggested to be beneficial in the treatment of colon cancer by regulation of molecular signaling pathways such as MAPK/JNK, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB and STAT to impair MMP, leading to the reduced viability and growth of tumor cells through mitochondrial-dependent manner [132].…”