Effect of curcumin on chromium-induced oxidative damage in male reproductive system

Hexavalent chromium, an environmental contaminant, undergoes redox cycling with generation of free radicals inside the biological system. Curcumin, the yellow bioactive component of turmeric has established its antioxidant activities. The present study evaluates possible ameliorating effects of curcumin on potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) (hexavalent chromium) induced reproductive toxicity in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. Three experimental groups, each consisting of eight rats, were treated with 0.4 mg K2Cr2O7/kg bw/day, 0.4 mg K2Cr2O7/kg bw/day + 20 mg curcumin/kg bw on every alternate day and 20 mg curcumin/kg bw on every alternate day, respectively, for 26 days. Altered testicular histology, reduced sperm count, low testosterone level, decreased accessory sex organs weight, enhanced lipid peroxidation along with reduced SOD and catalase activities were observed following K2Cr2O7 exposure while curcumin supplementation along with K2Cr2O7 exposure had shown to prevent the altered parameters. The results thus suggest that curcumin may have a protective role against chromium(VI) induced oxidative damage in male reproductive system.