Ameliorative effect of curcumin on fluoxetine-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress in male albino rats

Abstract

Saber A. Sakr, Hoda A. Mahran, Marwa M. El-Deeb

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat depression and mood disorders. Curcumin, the major active ingredient of turmeric (Curcuma longa), showed many pharmacological effects and is known for its potent antioxidant capacity. The present work aims to evaluate the possible ameliorative effect of curcumin on fluoxetine-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress in albino rats. Histological examination of testis of fluoxetine-treated rats revealed degeneration of spermatogenic cells, congestion of blood vessels and destruction of Leydig cells. In addition, speramatogenesis was inhibited as indicated by the decrease of the number of different spermatogenic cells. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules and heights of their germinal epithelium were significantly reduced. Moreover, significant higher numbers of Bax-positive Leydig cells were recorded. Testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and glutathione (GSH) were decreased while malondialdehyde were increased in sera of fluoxetine-treated animals. Treating animals with fluoxetine followed by curcumin revealed an improvement in the histological changes observed in animals treated with fluoxetine. Moreover, curcumin treatment leads to decrease in the number of Bax-positive cells, increase in testosterone, LH, GSH, and decrease of lipid peroxidation. According to the present results, it can be concluded that combined treatment with fluoxetine and curcumin can improve the testicular abnormalities induced by fluoxetine. This effect of curcumin may be attributed to its antioxidant properties.