Dissimilar effects of curcumin on human granulosa cells: Beyond its anti-oxidative role

Global infertility prevalence has been increasing in recent decades, mainly due to advanced reproductive age. Concerned women look for dietary supplements with antioxidant properties advertised as a natural way to increase fertility. Curcumin (CUR) is a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. CUR elicits apoptotic cell death as evidenced in some tumor cells. In this work, the effect of CUR on granulosa cells (GC) was studied. GC surround the oocyte, providing nutrient exchange and hormone production, necessary for its development. COV434 cell line and primary human granulosa cells (hGC) cultures from patients undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) were used. GC were treated with CUR (0.001-50 μM) at different times (24-72 h). Low concentrations of CUR showed an increase on cell viability. Likewise, it leads to a decrease in ROS/RNS formation after stress induction, suggesting a protective role. Changes in hormonal levels were not observed. In contrast, high concentrations of CUR triggered a reduction on cell viability and a programmed cell death mechanism. Allied to the above results, high doses of CUR affected hormonal function of GCs. Our work reinforces the benefits of dietary supplements, namely CUR, on the main functions of GC and, consequently, on reproductive success.