title: Effect of curcumin on dexamethasone-induced testicular toxicity in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Curcumin is a yellow-orange polyphenol derived from turmeric [Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceaerhizomes)]. Turmeric is a main ingredient of Indian, Persian, and Thai dishes. Extensive studies within the last half a century have demonstrated the protective action of curcumin in many disorders of the body.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the protective effect of curcumin on dexamethasone-induced spermatogenesis defects in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two NMRI mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. The first (control) group received 1 mL/day of distilled water by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection for 7 days. The second group received 200 mg/kg/day of curcumin (Cur) for 10 days. Third group received 7 mg/kg/day of dexamethasone (Dex) for 7 days. Forth group received 200 mg/kg of curcumin for 10 days after dexamethasone treatment. Testicular histopathology, morphometric analysis, head sperm counting, and immunohistochemistry assessments were performed for evaluation of the dexamethasone and curcumin effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased in the curcumin + dexamethasone group compared with dexamethasone-treated animals (p < 0.05). Dexamethasone induced spermatogenesis defects including epithelial vacuolizations, sloughing of germ cells, reduction of seminiferous tubule diameter, reduction in the number of sperm heads and significant maturation arrest (p < 0.001). Curcumin + dexamethasone treatment significantly prevented these changes (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study demonstrate that curcumin increases the expression of Bcl-2 protein, an important anti-apoptotic factor, and improves the spermatogenesis defects in dexamethasone treated mice. Curcumin has a potent protective effect against the testicular toxicity and might be clinically useful.
authors.affiliation: Cell & Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. layasadat@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Layasadat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Khorsandi
authors.forename: Mehri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirhoseini
authors.forename: Masoomeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohamadpour
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orazizadeh
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khaghani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000633:toxicity*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D020011:Protective Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003474:Curcumin