Title:Protective Effects of Curcumin and Nanomicelle Curcumin on Chlorpyrifos-induced Oxidative Damage and Inflammation in the Uterus,
Ovary and Brain of Rats
Volume: 26
Issue: 4
Author(s): Maryam Nazarian, Hamed Aramjoo, Babak Roshanravan, Saeed Samarghandian*Tahereh Farkhondeh*
Affiliation:
- Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
- Social Determinants
of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Keywords:
Chlorpyrifos, curcumin, nanomicelle curcumin, reproductive system, oxidative stress, inflammation, wistar rat.
Abstract:
Background and Aims: Chlorpyrifos (CPF), which is classified as an Organophosphorus
Pesticide (OP), has been identified as a toxic agent for the reproductive system due to its capacity
to induce oxidative stress and inflammation. Curcumin (CUR) has been reported as a natural
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that could combat toxicity in various tissues. This
study aims to examine the protective effects of CUR and its nanoformulation against reproductive
impairment induced by CPF.
Method: Forty-eight female Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated to six groups (n=8):
control (0.5 mL of corn oil, the solvent for CPF), CPF (10 mg/kg), CPF + CUR 100 mg/kg/day,
CPF + CUR 300 mg/kg/day, CPF + nano-micelle curcumin (NMC) 2.5 mg/kg/day, and CPF +
NMC 5 mg/kg/day. The experimental treatment was performed for 30 days. Then, brain, ovary
and uterus tissues were collected for measuring oxidative stress and inflammatory indices.
Result: MDA, NO, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations significantly increased in the brain, ovary
and uterus of the CPF group versus the control group (p < 0.001). The levels of GSH and SOD in
the uterus, ovaries, and brain exhibited a significant decrease in the CPF group compared to the
control group (p < 0.05). However, CUR (300 mg/kg) and NMC (5 mg/kg) significantly decreased
MDA, NO, TNF-α, and Il-6 and increased SOD and GSH levels in the uterus, ovaries and
brain of the CPF-exposed animals versus the CPF-exposed non-treated animals (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Our findings indicated that CUR and NMC could be effective in alleviating CPFinduced
reproductive toxicity.
