Protective Effects of Curcumin and Nanomicelle Curcumin on Chlorpyrifos-induced Oxidative Damage and Inflammation in the Uterus, Ovary and Brain of Rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chlorpyrifos (CPF), which is classified as an Organophosphorus Pesticide (OP), has been identified as a toxic agent for the reproductive system due to its capacity to induce oxidative stress and inflammation. Curcumin (CUR) has been reported as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that could combat toxicity in various tissues. This study aims to examine the protective effects of CUR and its nanoformulation against reproductive impairment induced by CPF.

METHODS: Forty-eight female Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated to six groups (n=8): control (0.5 mL of corn oil, the solvent for CPF), CPF (10 mg/kg), CPF + CUR 100 mg/kg/day, CPF + CUR 300 mg/kg/day, CPF + nano-micelle curcumin (NMC) 2.5 mg/kg/day, and CPF + NMC 5 mg/kg/day. The experimental treatment was performed for 30 days. Then, brain, ovary and uterus tissues were collected for measuring oxidative stress and inflammatory indices.

RESULTS: MDA, NO, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations significantly increased in the brain, ovary and uterus of the CPF group versus the control group (p < 0.001). The levels of GSH and SOD in the uterus, ovaries, and brain exhibited a significant decrease in the CPF group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, CUR (300 mg/kg) and NMC (5 mg/kg) significantly decreased MDA, NO, TNF-α, and Il-6 and increased SOD and GSH levels in the uterus, ovaries and brain of the CPF-exposed animals versus the CPF-exposed non-treated animals (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that CUR and NMC could be effective in alleviating CPFinduced reproductive toxicity.