Curcuma longa normalized cimetidine‐induced pituitary‐testicular dysfunction: Relevance in nutraceutical therapy

Abstract

Background The increasing incidence of chemically induced infertility is both a social threat and a threat to the continuation of life itself. Treatment or management therapy is often expensive. This study investigated the effects of acetone extract of a local plant (Curcuma longa) in a Wistar rat model of cimetidine‐induced pituitary‐testicular dysfunction. Methods Thirty‐five male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats. After a phytochemical screening of an acetone extract of C. Longa, cimetidine and the extract at three doses, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, were orally co‐administered to the rats for 28 consecutive days. Comparisons were made (at P < 0.05) against a control (2 mL/kg distilled water), a standard treatment group (cimetidine + 50 mg/kg vitamin C), a toxic group (60 mg/kg cimetidine) and a group receiving extract alone. Results Cimetidine administration was associated with deleterious alterations to sperm motility, sperm count and sperm viability, as well as derangements in the plasma levels of FSH, LH and testosterone (P < 0.05). Both brain and testicular GSH and TBARS levels were significantly altered following cimetidine administration, and distortions were seen in the pituitary and testicular histoarchitecture. These changes were significantly normalized by co‐administration of graded doses of the extract, with an associated improvement of both pituitary and testicular histology. Conclusion Acetone extract of C. Longa normalized cimetidine‐induced pituitary‐testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats. This presents the extract as a potential nutraceutical choice against chemically induced reproductive toxicity.

Biological Activity of Some Aromatic Plants and Their Metabolites, with an Emphasis on Health-Promoting Properties

“…In Arabic, the term "kurkum" is also used, in Hindi "haldi" [101], in Chinese "Chiang Huang", and in Japanese "Ukon" [102]. It is widely grown in India, China, Pakistan, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, which makes its rhizomes easily available and cheap [103]. It is a perennial plant with short stems.…”

“…It is also used to treat fever, gastritis, food poisoning, respiratory tract infections, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, jaundice, urinary tract infections, rheumatoid arthritis, and skin diseases and to relieve menstrual pain [99,109]. Turmeric is classified by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) as a nutraceutical that is considered to be safe and has GRAS status [103]. The yellow color of turmeric is due to the presence of curcuminoids [110], which usually constitute 3%-5% of turmeric preparations.…”

“…Hundreds of chemicals have been identified in turmeric oil, including ar-turmerone, α-turmerone, β-turmerone, α-zingiberene, ar-curcumene, β-sesquiphellandrene, β-caryophyllene, (Z)-β-ocimene, β-bisabolene, (Z)-β-farnesene, β-caryophyllene, humulene oxide, α-phellandrene, caryophyllene oxide, β-selinene, (E)-γ-atlantone, terpinolene, 1,8-cineole, and caryophyllene oxide [111] (Figure 9). and has GRAS status [103]. The yellow color of turmeric is due to the presence of curcuminoids [110], which usually constitute 3%-5% of turmeric preparations.…”

The Effects of Curcuma longa in Insulin Resistance

“…Curcuma longa Linn., commonly called turmeric, belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It is a perennial plant, extensively grown in Asia and tropical countries like Brazil [20]. The characteristic yellow golden color is due to the presence of curcuminoids, mainly curcumin (75-81%), demethoxycurcumin (15-19%), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (2.2-6.6%).…”

“…The characteristic yellow golden color is due to the presence of curcuminoids, mainly curcumin (75-81%), demethoxycurcumin (15-19%), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (2.2-6.6%). Roots of Curcuma longa have been used for millennia as medicine for many purposes [20,21] Besides the beneficial effects of curcumin as antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotective, and mainly anti-inflammatory properties, it is considered safe, nontoxic and mediates the antiinflammatory transcription factors, protein kinase, cytokines, and enzymes that promote inflammation. Therefore, it is a possible safe therapy for IR [22].…”