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Mini-Review Article

Male Reproductive Dysfunction and Pharmacological Action of Curcumin: A Concise Review

Author(s): Damilare E. Rotimi*, Omowumi T. Kayode and Oluyomi S. Adeyemi

Volume 19, Issue 1, 2023

Published on: 19 August, 2022

Article ID: e210422203911 Pages: 13

DOI: 10.2174/1573407218666220421134543

Price: $65

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.

Keywords: antioxidant, curcumin, male reproductive dysfunction, sperm, testis, testosterone

Graphical Abstract

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