Effects of Oral Nanocurcumin on Uterine Caspase-3 and IL-10 Expression in Noise-Stressed Pregnant Mice.

Abstract

Background: Exposure to environmental noise during pregnancy has been linked to the disruption of immune and apoptotic balance in uterine tissues. Caspase-3 (Casp-3) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) are key apoptosis and anti-inflammatory signaling biomarkers, respectively. Nanocurcumin has shown promise as an antioxidant and immunomodulator.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral nanocurcumin on Casp-3 and IL-10 expression in gestational noise-exposed pregnant mice.

Methods: Twenty-five pregnant BALB/c mice were divided into five groups: negative control (K-), positive control with noise (K+), and three treatment groups exposed to noise and given nanocurcumin at 14 (P1), 21 (P2), and 24.5 mg/kg body weight (BW) (P3). Oral treatments were given from gestational day (GD) 6-18. Uterine tissues were harvested for immunohistochemical analysis. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, Tukey's HSD, and linear regression (p < 0.05).

Results: Noise exposure increased Casp-3 and reduced IL-10 expression (p < 0.05). Nanocurcumin reversed these effects in a dose-dependent manner; Casp-3 decreased by 20.7%, whereas IL-10 increased by 41.7% in the P3 group compared with the K+ group. Linear regression analysis showed strong correlations between the dose and expression levels of both markers.

Conclusion: Oral nanocurcumin effectively reduced uterine apoptotic signaling and improved anti-inflammatory responses in pregnancies with noise stress, supporting its potential role as a non-hormonal therapeutic in reproductive stress conditions. This study also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, particularly in advancing maternal health through nutraceutical interventions during pregnancy under environmental stress.