Effect of fluoxetine on the testes of adult albino rats and the possible protective role of curcumin

The Possible Ameliorating Role of Fisetin on Hepatic Changes Induced by Fluoxetine in Adult Male Albino Rats: Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Biochemical Study

Background

Fluoxetine (FLX) is one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, it is widely used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, but high doses can cause several adverse effects. Fisetin (FIS), a bioactive flavonoid presents in vegetables and fruits, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.

Aim

To evaluate the possible ameliorating effect of FIS on the hepatic alterations induced by FLX in adult male albino rats.

Materials and Methods

Our study was done, for 3-weeks, on 48 rats that were divided into four groups: Group I (control), Group II received FIS orally (100 mg/kg/day), Group III received FLX orally (10 mg/kg/day), and Group IV concomitantly received FLX and FIS at the same dose and manner of groups II and III. Blood and liver samples were obtained and prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical studies.

Results

FLX group revealed disturbed liver architecture, hepatocytes with vacuolated cytoplasm, inflammatory cellular infiltration, blood extravasation, and congestion of blood vessels in addition to, a significant increase in the area percentage of caspase-3, inducible nitric oxide synthase and the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing cells as well as a significant decrease in the area percentage of periodic acid-Schiff stain. Moreover, FLX significantly increased aspartate-aminotransferase and alanine-aminotransferase levels in the serum. In addition, FLX increased malondialdehyde level and decreased superoxide dismutase, glutathione (GSH) peroxidase, and reduced GSH levels in liver tissue. The concomitant administration of FIS ameliorated these alterations.

Conclusions

Administration of FIS ameliorated the histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical alterations induced by FLX in the liver of adult male albino rats.

A comparative study between curcumin and curcumin nanoemulsion on high-fat, high-fructose diet-induced impaired spermatogenesis in rats

Objectives

Curcumin is a promising nutraceutical with reported diverse therapeutic properties, but of limited oral bioavailability. The current manuscript investigates the role of encapsulation of curcumin in nanoemulsion form in counteracting the adverse effect of chronic ingestion of a high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHF) by juvenile male rats regarding testicular abnormalities and declined spermatogenesis.

Methods

Curcumin nanoemulsion was administered orally to Wistar rats at a dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg and compared with curcumin powder, followed by a pharmacological and histological assessment.

Key findings

Results demonstrated that curcumin nanoemulsion was superior to curcumin powder, particularly in enhancing the percentage progressive motility of spermatozoa, normalization of essential and non-essential amino acids in semen, normalization of serum leptin and testosterone levels, as well as normalization of oxidative and nitrosative parameters. It was also proven to reduce testicular DNA fragmentation, while elevating testicular cellular energy. In addition, curcumin nanoemulsion administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg induced the highest level of spermatogenesis, delineated by histological examination of the seminiferous tubules.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that curcumin nanoemulsion administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg successfully ameliorates the adverse effects of a HFHF on spermatogenesis.

Potential Role of Curcumin for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Curcumin is the major biologically active polyphenolic constituent in the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) that has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective effects. Interest in curcumin as a treatment for mental health conditions has increased and there is an expanding body of preclinical and clinical research examining its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. In this narrative review, human trials investigating the effects of curcumin for the treatment of depression or depressive symptoms are summarised. Using findings from in vitro, animal, and human trials, possible biological mechanisms associated with the antidepressant effects of curcumin are also explored. To increase the understanding of curcumin for the treatment of depression, directions for future research are proposed.