Globally, 15–24% of couples struggle with natural conception, with male infertility contributing to about 50% of these cases. Among male infertility issues, approximately 50% are classified as idiopathic, where the cause remains unknown. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to negatively affect male fertility and are implicated in 80% of idiopathic cases. Medicinal plants, known for their antioxidant properties, are increasingly explored as alternative treatments to mitigate infertility caused by ROS.
Mucuna pruriens, a well-recognized herb, has been used to enhance male fertility, particularly through its ability to neutralize ROS. In addition, Flemingia praecox, though less commonly known, is used by tribal communities in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, India, for addressing various male fertility issues. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity of F. praecox and compare it with M. pruriens, focusing on the medicinally significant roots of F. praecox and seeds of M. pruriens.
The research involved analyzing the total phenol content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) of the plant extracts, assessing antioxidant activities using several assays (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, DMPD, β-carotene bleaching, and total antioxidant activity), and evaluating their ability to protect against DNA damage. The study also compared the effectiveness of these plant extracts with synthetic antioxidants, including BHA, BHT, and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, the inhibition of two male infertility enzyme markers, PDE5 and arginase, by extracts of F. praecox roots and M. pruriens seeds was assessed.
Results indicated that F. praecox exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to M. pruriens in several assays, including TFC, DPPH, TAA, ABTS, and DMPD. Conversely, M. pruriens seeds demonstrated higher efficacy in TPC, FRAP, and DNA damage protection assays. Additionally, F. praecox root extract showed more effective PDE5 inhibition than M. pruriens seeds.
This study underscores the potential of F. praecox, traditionally used by tribal communities, and supports its further exploration for managing male infertility. It also highlights the comparative strengths of F. praecox and M. pruriens in addressing oxidative stress-related infertility issues.
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