Effects of different doses of curcumin on testicular histopathology, apoptosis, and reproductive organs weight index in mice d-galactose-induced aging model

Due to the value of aging and its effect on body organs, it is necessary to study the factors that can have protective effects on this process. Curcumin is the active ingredient of Curcuma longa Turmeric, which has a strong antioxidant effect. We evaluated the curcumin treatment on testicular histopathology, apoptosis, and reproductive organs index in a mouse model of aging. Forty-eight mice divided into control, sham, d-galactose, and curcumin 1 to 3 groups. The d-galactose group was administered intraperitoneally 300 mg/kg d-galactose for 6 weeks. The curcumin 1 to 3 groups received d-galactose plus 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg of curcumin, respectively for 14 days. Then, testicular histopathology, apoptosis, and reproductive organs index were investigated after 6 weeks. The SPSS software was used for data analysis. Tunnel-positive cells in the d-galactose group were remarkably higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Administration of curcumin in all three doses reduced the number of positive tunnel cells, in comparison with the group that received d-galactose (p < 0.05). The epididymis weight index of the d-galactose group was significantly different from the control (p = 0.006), the sham (p = 0.01), the curcumin 1 (p = 0.003), the curcumin 2 (p = 0.003), and the curcumin 3 (p = 0.002) groups. Histological examination of the d-galactose group revealed a reduction in the thickness of the germinal epithelium, edema, and complete atrophy of germ cells in some seminiferous tubules. The histology of seminiferous tubules was near-normal appearance with the little disintegration of germ cells from their normal germinal epithelium in the curcumin 1 and 3 groups. The histology of seminiferous tubules was near-normal appearance with mild edema and congestion in some seminiferous tubules in the curcumin 2 group. Curcumin supplementation (2 weeks, 100 mg/kg) caused an improvement in biochemical markers and sperm parameters as well as a reduction in apoptosis in the testicular tissue of the aging mouse model. © 2018, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.