The color of turmeric (薑黃 jiāng huáng) is because of a substance called curcumin. It has different pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nicotine is a major pharmacologically active substance in cigarette smoke. It is mainly metabolized in the liver and causes devastating effects. This study was designed to evaluate the protective role of curcumin against nicotine on the liver in mice.Forty-eight mice were equally divided into eight groups; control (normal saline), nicotine (2.5 mg/kg), curcumin (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg) and curcumin plus nicotine-treated groups. Curcumin, nicotine, and curcumin plus nicotine (once a day) were intraperitoneally injected for 4 weeks. The liver weight and histology, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and serum nitric oxide levels have been studied.The results indicated that nicotine administration significantly decreased liver weight and increased the mean diameter of hepatocyte, central hepatic vein, liver enzymes level, and blood serum nitric oxide level compared with the saline group (p < 0.05). However, curcumin and curcumin plus nicotine administration substantially increased liver weight and decreased the mean diameter of hepatocyte, central hepatic vein, liver enzymes, and nitric oxide levels in all groups compared with the nicotine group (p < 0.05).Curcumin demonstrated its protective effect against nicotine-induced liver toxicity.

Morphine produces free radicals and cause apoptosis in some cell. Resveratrol (RSV) is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol, and a phytoalexin produced by several plants in response to injury. 48 male mice were randomly assigned to 8 groups. In this study, various doses of RSV (2, 8 and 20 mg/kg) and RSV plus Morphine (2, 8 and 20 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to male mice for 20 consequent days and weight of kidneys, biochemical characteristics, morphometric markers and blood serum nitric oxide level were studied. The results indicated that morphine administration significantly increased the mean diameter of glomerulus and distal and proximal convoluted tubule, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and nitric oxide levels compared to the saline group (P<0.05). However, RSV and RSV plus morphine in all doses significantly decreased glomeruli number and LDH, BUN, creatinine and nitric oxide levels compared to morphine groups (p<0.05). Thus, it seems that resveratrol improved kidney damages induced by morphine in mice.

Background:The predominant phytoestrogen in soy and derived products is the isoflavone Genistein. Genistein has antioxidant properties. Morphine is a main psychoactive chemical in opium that can increase the generation of free radicals and therefore it could adversely affects the spermatogenesis.Objective: The main goal was to investigate whether the Genistein could protect morphine adverse effects on sperm cells viability, count, motility, and testis histology and testosterone hormone and nitric oxide in blood serum.Materials and Methods:In this study, various doses of Genistein (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg) and Genistein plus morphine (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg) were administered interaperitoneally to 48 male mice for 30 consequent days. These mice were randomly assigned to 8 groups (n=6) and sperm parameters (sperm cells viability, count, motility and morphology), testis weight and histology, testosterone hormone (ELISA method), FSH and LH hormones (immunoradiometry) and serum nitric oxide (griess assay) were analyzed and compared.Results:The results indicated that morphine administration significantly decreased testosterone (0.03 ng/mg) LH and FSH level, histological parameters, count, viability (55.3%), morphology and motility of sperm cells (1%), testis weight (0.08 gr) and increase nitric oxide compared to saline group (p=0.00). However, administration of Genistein and Genistein plus morphine significantly boosted motility, morphology, count, viability of sperm cells, seminiferous tubules diameter, germinal thickness, testosterone, LH and FSH while decrease nitric oxide level in all groups compared to morphine group (p<0.025).Conclusion:It seems that Genistein administration could increase the quality of spermatozoa and prevent morphine- induced adverse effects on sperm parameters.

SUMMARY:Nicotine consumption can decrease fertility drive in males through inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage. The color of turmeric is because of a substance called curcumin for which some anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties have been identified. In this study, various doses of curcumin (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) and curcumin plus nicotine (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to male mice for 28 consequent days and reproductive parameters were determined. The results indicated that nicotine administration (0.5 mg/kg) significantly decreased testosterone level, count and motility of sperms, and testis weight compared to control group. However, increasing the dose of curcumin significantly increased reproductive indices in most of the groups. Thus, it seems that curcumin inhibits nicotine-induced adverse effects on reproductive parameters.

Background:Morphine is commonly used to treat severe pain. This substance is significantly metabolized in the liver and causes disturbing effects. Genistein is an isoflavone and has antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of genistein against morphine damages on mouse liver.Methods:Between May 2017 and March 2018, 48 male mice were divided into six groups (n = 8 in each group). Various doses of genistein (25 and 50 mg/kg) and morphine plus genistein (25 and 50 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to 48 male mice for 20 consequent days. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum nitric oxide (NO) levels, liver weight, and the diameter of hepatocytes and central hepatic vein were studied and compared using one-way analysis of variance.Results:Morphine administration significantly increased the mean diameter of the central hepatic vein (22.76 ± 1.9 μm vs. 15.04 ± 0.60 μm, χ2 = 21.814, P = 0.001) and hepatocytes (3.03 ± 0.10 μm vs. 1.10 ± 0.05 μm, χ2 = 9.873, P = 0.001) respectively, blood serum NO level (38.00% ± 2.09% vs. 18.72% ± 4.40%, χ2 = 20.404, P < 0.001), liver enzyme level (AST: 111.80 ± 5.10 ng/ml vs. 81.93 ± 2.20 ng/ml, χ2 = 32.201, P < 0.0001; ALT: 45.14 ± 4.10 ng/ml vs. 35.49 ± 2.50 ng/ml, χ2 = 18.203, P < 0.0001; and ALP: 3.28 ± 0.20 ng/ml vs. 2.14 ± 0.10, χ2 = 5.04, P < 0.0001, respectively), and decreased liver weight (18.50 ± 0.90 g vs. 27.15 ± 0.50 g, χ2 = 22.415, P = 0.001) compared to saline group (0.535–0.750, P < 0.0001). However, administration of genistein plus morphine significantly enhanced liver weight (25 mg/kg: 21.15 ± 2.13 g vs. 18.50 ± 0.90 g, χ2 = 19.251, P < 0.0001; 50 mg/kg: 21.20 ± 1.00 g vs. 18.5 ± 0.9 g, χ2 = 19.502, P < 0.0001, respectively) and reduced the mean diameter of hepatocyte (25 mg/kg: 2.17 ± 0.30 μm vs. 3.03 ± 0.10 μm, χ2 = 22.780, P = 0.001; 50 mg/kg: 2.01 ± 0.20 μm vs. 3.03 ± 0.10 μm χ2 = 7.120, P = 0.001, respectively), central hepatic vein (25 mg/kg: 19.53 ± 1.00 μm vs. 22.76 ± 1.90 μm, χ2 = 20.681, P = 0.001; 50 mg/kg: 19.44 ± 1.20 μm vs. 22.76 ± 1.90 μm, χ2 = 18.451, P = 0.001, respectively), AST (25 mg/kg: 95.40 ± 5.20 ng/ml vs. 111.80 ± 5.010 ng/ml, P < 0.0001; 50 mg/kg: 90.78 ± 6.00 ng/ml vs. 111.80 ± 5.10 ng/ml, χ2 = 17.112, P < 0.0001, respectively), ALT (25 mg/kg: 35.78 ± 5.01 ng/ml vs. 45.14 ± 4.10 ng/ml, χ2 = 15.320, P < 0.0001; 50 mg/kg: 33.78 ± 2.60 ng/ml vs. 45.14 ± 4.10 ng/ml, χ2 = 14.023, P < 0.0001, respectively), ALP (25 mg/kg: 2.35 ± 0.30 ng/ml vs. 3.28 ± 0.20 ng/ml, χ2 = 4.101, P < 0.0001; 50 mg/kg: 2.34 ± 0.10 ng/ml vs. 3.28 ± 0.20 ng/ml, χ2 = 2.033, P < 0.0001, respectively), and NO levels (25 mg/kg: 25.92% ± 2.30% vs. 38% ± 2.09%, χ2 = 17.103, P < 0.0001; 50 mg/kg: 24.74% ± 4.10% vs. 38% ± 2.09%, χ2 = 25.050, P = 0.001, respectively) compared to morphine group.Conclusion:It seems that genistein administration might improve liver damages induced by morphine in mice.