Curcumin as a Potential Natural Therapeutic for Mitigating Drug-Induced Metabolic Disturbances: Insights from a Rodent Model with Relevance to Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Medicine

Abstract

Most of the species of amphibians and reptiles are facing a decline because of druginduced metabolic disturbances and exposure to environmental contaminants. Consequently, focus is being directed to identifying various natural products with an aim of alleviating drug-induced metabolic disequilibrium. The testicular damage is due to different metabolic disturbances that are observed such as oxidative stress, liver damage, and glucose level disturbances. The given research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of curcumin in the context of preventing the testicular damage caused by the influence of ketoconazole through the utilization of a rodent organism. The results of the present research are also a prospect of amphibian and reptile conservation (ARC) medicine. To accomplish this, a sample of 36 male rodents was chosen, and they were separated into 6 groups (Group A: control, Group B: ketoconazole, Group C: Ketoconazole and low dose of curcumin, Group D: Ketoconazole and high dose of curcumin, Group E: low dose of curcumin, and Group F: high dose of curcumin). Statistical analysis was done on blood tests and serum concentrations and weight of the body. The findings indicate that in Group B, the levels of serum testosterone and SOD were reduced to 2.0 ng/ mL and 6.0 U/ mg respectively. On the contrary, MDA and glucose levels rose by 3.1 nmol/ mg and 119.9 mg/ dL, respectively, in Group B. This demonstrates that ketoconazole affects the male reproductive system to a great extent. Conversely, group D, E, and F were statistically equal, with significant results (a). The article has a clinical impact in highlighting the use of curcumin in addressing drug-induced disruption of metabolism by inhibiting oxidative stress and enzymatic action. Thus, the current study has future implications on analyzing the role of curcumin in offsetting various drug-induced metabolic disturbances in different species of amphibians and reptiles by enhancing the veterinary protocols in that matter.