Protective Effect of Quercetin and Curcumin against Ovarian Oxidative Stress Induced by Gossypol in Albino Female Rats

This study aimed to investigate the effect of gossypol on ovarian physiology, which includes oxidative stress, hormone levels, and ovarian apoptosis, and detect the positive role of quercetin and curcumin against gossypol's effect. Forty-eight albino female rats were used in the experiment, divided into six groups that included the control group (corn oil), gossypol (40 mg / kg/ b.w), quercetin (100 mg / kg /b.w), curcumin (200 mg / kg / b.w), gossypol + quercetin (40 and 100 mg / kg /b.w), gossypol + curcumin (40 and 200 mg / kg /b.w). All treatments were administered orally using a gavage needle for 35 days. The results showed that gossypol significantly decreased glutathione levels compared to the control group. However, the control group showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels and caspase-3 levels in ovarian tissue. In addition, treatment with curcumin (alone) significantly increased the anti-Müllerian hormone level compared to the control group. Furthermore, it was observed that in treatment with the gossypol and quercetin, there were no significant differences in caspase-3 levels compared with the gossypol group. However, there was a significant increase in glutathione levels compared with the gossypol group. As well as a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels compared to the gossypol group. More research using different concentrations of these antioxidants (quercetin and curcumin) is needed to determine their effectiveness against gossypol effects. In conclusion, gossypol causes harmful effects on the ovaries of rats by inducing oxidative stress, decreasing glutathione levels, and increasing malondialdehyde levels.