Title:Male Reproductive Dysfunction and Pharmacological Action of Curcumin:
A Concise Review
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Author(s): Damilare E. Rotimi*, Omowumi T. Kayode and Oluyomi S. Adeyemi
Affiliation:
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, PMB 1001, Omu-Aran – 251101, Nigeria
Keywords:
Antioxidant, curcumin, male reproductive dysfunction, sperm, testis, testosterone.
Abstract:
Background: Male reproductive dysfunctions are the results of the malfunctioning of
one or more cellular components due to several factors, including exposure to heavy metals, reactive
oxygen species, smoking and alcohol, genital infection, lifestyle, hormonal disorders, and
unhealthy diet. However, it has been widely reported that curcumin possesses pharmacological
potential, which could ameliorate the effects of these factors on male reproductive dysfunctions.
Introduction: This review discusses the pharmacological activities of curcumin, its ameliorating
effects on male reproductive dysfunction, especially on sperm disorders, steroidogenic toxicity,
immune-regulatory activity, apoptotic toxicity, and oxidative toxicity, along with its possible
mechanisms regarding male reproductive dysfunction.
Methods: The terms, such as "Curcumin" together with "testis", "sperm", "male reproductive function",
and "testosterone", were searched on Google Scholar, Pubmed, and Scopus. Relevant literature
was also assessed.
Results: Curcumin was found to mitigate the adverse effects on hormone levels, cellular apoptotic
activity, oxidative stress, and histopathological damages. It also inhibited the activation of the
mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, increased semen quality, sperm motility, and
concentration, and restored the IL-1β, TNF-α, and MCP-1 levels in the reproductive tissues. Furthermore,
curcumin has been shown to increase mRNA, cytoplasmic Bcl-2, 3β-HSD, and 17β-
HSD and Nrf2 expression, γ-GCS, and GSH-Px levels, the number of TUNEL-positive cells, and
to reduce levels of LDH-x, and LDH activities.
Conclusion: Curcumin exerts pharmacological activities, which improve the male reproductive
functions, indicating how curcumin affects various testicular processes. This will be imperative as
a measure to enhance male fertility.
