The protective effect of curcumin on changes in serum concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone and testicular tissue induced by methotrexate in adult male rat

Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on changes in the serum concentration of LH, FSH , testosterone hormones and testicular tissue induced by methotrexate in adult male rats.

In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats with an approximate weight of 230-260 grams were divided into 6 groups of 5 each. Control group, sham group: 1 ml of distilled water as a solvent, experimental group 1: methotrexate (5 mg/kg), experimental group 2: curcumin (400 mg/kg), experimental group 3: methotrexate (5 mg/kg) + curcumin (200 mg/kg), experimental group 4 : methotrexate (5 mg/kg) + curcumin (400 mg/kg). After 28 days of treatment in the form of gavage injection, blood was taken directly from the heart to measure the serum concentration of  LH, FSH and testosterone hormones. The testicles were removed and tissue changes were examined after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The data results were analyzed based on one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test.

In the group receiving methotrexate, the level of testosterone hormone, the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, sperm and leydig decreased and the serum level of LH and FSH increased significantly compared to the control and sham groups. In the groups receiving methotrexate + curcumin, curcumin was able to compensate the adverse effects caused by methotrexat (P <0.05).

Curcumin can improve the changes in serum testosterone, FSH, LH concentration and testicular tissue induced by methotrexate in adult male rats.