Characterization and Therapeutic Effect of Curcuma longa l. Essential Oil on Spermatogenesis in Mice Exposed to Lead Acetate

Dysfunction at various levels of spermatogenesis is one of the main causes of infertility in men and requires treatment. This study examined the effect of Curcuma longa L. essential oil (CEO) against lead acetate-induced toxicity in male mice. Eighteen (18) adult male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups as follows: A: control; B: treated with Pb (20 mg/kg, i.p.) for one week; and C: treated with Pb 20 mg/kg i.p. for one week followed by daily treatment with Curcuma longa essential oil (300 µL/kg bw) for three weeks. A total of 114 compounds were identified through GC-MS analysis of the oil. The main components were ar-turmerone (48.26%), followed by alpha-turmerone (14.18%), cis-Z-bisabolene epoxide (4.33%), 3-thujene (2.55%), and beta-turmerone (2.48%). The essential oil exhibited strong antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by the DPPH assay. Histopathological analysis of testicular sections from the group treated with lead alone showed that lead severely damaged the seminiferous epithelium. However, repair of the testicular structure was observed after treatment with Curcuma longa essential oil, as well as a reduction in signs of apoptosis compared with the lead-treated group alone. The results illustrate the beneficial effects of the tested essential oil.