Curcumin Protects Metronidazole and X-ray Induced Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Male Germ Cells in Mice

Abstract

Metronidazole (MTZ) is a common antiparasitic and antibacterial drug. The drug and X-ray induced effects in mouse sperm count, sperm head abnormality and some oxidative stress parameters have been studied. Simultaneously the protective role of curcumin has been evaluated. MTZ, 40 mg/kg bw and 13.4 mg/kg bw × 3 days exposure induced abnormal sperm head and reduced total sperm count in Swiss albino mice both after 24 h and 35 days of exposure. However, MTZ treatment in mice receiving X-ray irradiation (0.5 Gy) did not changed the incidence of abnormal sperm population or decrease in the total sperm count. Hepatic glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) declined significantly during the treatment phase with significant rise in lipid peroxidation of the tissue. The cellular changes were estimated by using lipid peroxidative indices like thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Elevated TBARS is indicative of oxidative stress in treated mice. Furthermore, curcumin pre-treatment apparently reduced the frequency of sperm head abnormality and TBARS induced by MTZ alone or in combination with X-ray and increased the levels of hepatic GSH and SOD. The additive effects of MTZ and X-ray could not be observed with regards to sperm head abnormality and total sperm count in the tested dose range although the cellular antioxidants were found to be significantly lowered and lipid peroxidantion increased. The possible role of MTZ and X-ray inducing sperm abnormality, decreased sperm count and alteration in GSH, SOD and TBARS and defensive role of curcumin have been evaluated.

Dietary Anti-Aging Polyphenols and Potential Mechanisms

“…Hydrogen peroxide is further deactivated by catalase (CAT) or glutathione peroxidases (GSH-Px) to water and oxygen. Numerous studies reported that curcumin (8 mg/kg) [ 108 ], EGCG (100 mg/kg) [ 109 ], or quercetin ( 0.027% in the diet) [ 110 ] reversed oxidative stress-caused reduction of GSH and SOD levels in mice or rats. Resveratrol protects against oxidative damage by increasing expressions of SOD1, CAT, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as well as the activity of SOD [ 111 , 112 ].…”

“…Therefore, as shown in Figure 1 , polyphenols may protect cells from oxidative stress by multiple mechanisms. Indeed, it was shown that curcumin could directly scavenge ROS [ 127 ], increase the expression of endogenous antioxidants [ 108 ], activate the Nrf2 pathway [ 119 ], and modulate miRNAs [ 128 ].…”

Ageing, Age-Related Cardiovascular Risk and the Beneficial Role of Natural Components Intake

“…This effect was associated with the reduction in oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and decreased accumulation of dialdehydes as a result of the modulation of various stress-responsive genes [ 279 ]. According to studies, the dietary intake of curcumin (2 mg/g medium) enhanced SOD activity by 32% in Drosophila , while the administration of curcumin (8 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection for 5 days) to mice was able to restore X-ray-reduced hepatic SOD and GSH contents [ 280 , 281 ]. Curcumin not only upregulates the sirtuin pathway but also activates the Nrf2-ARE pathway [ 282 ].…”

Dietary antiaging phytochemicals and mechanisms associated with prolonged survival

“…Dietary intake of curcumin (2-mg/g medium) increased SOD activity by (32% in Drosophila [70]. In mice, curcumin treatment (8 mg/kg, ip injection for 5 days) can restore X-ray-reduced hepatic SOD and GSH contents [116]. Similarly, resveratrol (50 μM) [117], EGCG (100 mg/kg, intradermal injection) [118] or quercetin (0.027% in the diet) [119] reversed oxidative stress-caused reduction of GSH and SOD levels in mice or rats.…”