EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF CURCUMIN IN COUNTERACTING TESTICULAR DAMAGE INDUCED BY KETOCONAZOLE

The delicate balance of hormonal, biochemical, and cellular processes governing testicular health is crucial for male fertility and overall well-being. However, pharmaceutical agents like ketoconazole can disrupt this equilibrium, leading to testicular damage and reproductive dysfunction. Curcumin, a bioactive compound known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise in mitigating drug-induced damage in various organs. Yet, its specific role in safeguarding testicular health against pharmaceutical-induced damage remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in mitigating ketoconazole-induced testicular damage using animal models. Fifty-four (54) adult male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups and treated with varying doses of ketoconazole and curcumin for twenty-eight (28) days accordingly. Results revealed that ketoconazole administration adversely affected testicular morphology, hormonal profiles, oxidative stress markers, sperm parameters, and histological characteristics. However, curcumin, particularly when administered in combination with ketoconazole, demonstrated protective effects against these adverse outcomes. Notably, curcumin administration before ketoconazole treatment showed promising results in preserving sperm parameters, even surpassing control levels in certain instances. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic utility of curcumin in combating drug-induced testicular damage and highlight avenues for further mechanistic exploration. Understanding the molecular pathways involved in curcumin's protective effects may offer novel strategies for managing male infertility and preserving reproductive function in men undergoing pharmacological treatments