Effect of curcumin nanoparticles on the number of preantral and antral follicles of white rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to carbon black.

Abstract

Background: Continuous exposure to carbon black could affect the reproductive health of female animals, especially in the process of folliculogenesis. Curcumin nanoparticles are expected to maintain reproductive organ fertility through exposure to pollution containing carbon.

Aim: The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of curcumin nanoparticles on the number of preantral and antral ovarian follicles in white rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to carbon black.

Methods: This study used 30 female rats divided into five groups. The negative (K-) and positive (K+) control groups were given aquades + Na-CMC 0.5% orally, while the treatment group received different doses of curcumin nanoparticles, namely, in the P1 (50 mg/kgBW), P2 (100 mg/kgBW), and P3 (150 mg/kgBW) groups, via oral administration. After that, K+, P1, P2, and P3 were exposed to carbon black with a concentration of 1064 mg/m³ for 6 hours/day for 30 days. The ovarian organ would then be made histopathological preparations to examine the number of preantral and antral follicles with HE staining.

Results: The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). The average number of preantral follicles in the K- group (27.17 ± 6.37), K+ (10.33 ± 6.22), P1 (26.17 ± 5.98), P2 (19.17 ± 3.71), and P3 (23.50 ± 10.36) (p < 0.05) along with the average number of antral follicles in the K- group (18.50 ± 8.89), K+ (9.17 ± 2.14), P1 (17.67 ± 7.45), P2 (16.00 ± 5.30), and P3 (9.50 ± 5.09).

Conclusion: The conclusion of this study shows that curcumin nanoparticles with different doses could affect and maintain preantral and antral ovarian follicles in white rats exposed to carbon black. It was also found that the dose of the P1 group (50 mg/kgBW) had the highest effectiveness in maintaining the number of ovarian follicles. The results of this study demonstrate the therapeutic potential of curcumin nanoparticles as an affordable drug.