Abstract

Background:
Prenatal exposure to high-intensity noise may disrupt maternal neuroendocrine regulation and inflammatory signaling. Nanocurcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its effects on maternal cortisol and placental tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) during gestational noise stress remain unclear.

Aim:
To evaluate the effects of oral nanocurcumin on serum cortisol concentrations and placental TNF-α immunoreactivity in pregnant mice exposed to high-intensity noise.

Methods:
Twenty-five pregnant BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 5/group): negative control without noise or nanocurcumin (K−), noise-exposed control (K+), and three noise-exposed groups receiving nanocurcumin at 14 (P1), 21 (P2), or 24.5 mg/kg body weight (P3). From gestational days 6–18, K+, P1, P2, and P3 were exposed to 135 dB noise for 40 minutes/day, while P1–P3 received nanocurcumin once daily. On gestational day 19, serum cortisol was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and placental TNF-α immunoreactivity was evaluated immunohistochemically using an immunoreactive score. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05).

Results:
Serum cortisol concentrations differed significantly among groups [F(4,20) = 21.21, p < 0.001]. Cortisol was higher in K+ than K− (p < 0.001) and lower in P1 (p = 0.002) and P3 (p < 0.001) than K+, whereas P2 showed no significant reduction (p = 0.150). This pattern did not indicate a dose-dependent response. Placental TNF-α immunoreactive scores did not differ significantly among groups [F(4,20) = 1.25, p = 0.323].

Conclusion:
Nanocurcumin at 14 and 24.5 mg/kg was associated with lower serum cortisol concentrations in noise-exposed pregnant mice, whereas 21 mg/kg showed no significant effect. Placental TNF-α immunoreactivity remained unchanged, indicating no consistent dose-dependent or placental anti-inflammatory response under the study conditions. These findings provide experimental evidence on maternal stress responses and potential protective interventions during pregnancy, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Key words: Cortisol; Good Health and Well-being; Nanocurcumin; Noise stress; TNF-α.