Seed extract of Thai Mucuna pruriens reduced male reproductive damage in rats induced by chronic stress

Abstract

Context Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Fabaceae) (TMP) is known to enrich reproduction but preventive effects on stress related adverse reproductive parameters are not documented. Objective This study investigates the protective property of TMP seed extract on reproductive damage under chronic stress (CS). Materials and methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The control and CS groups received distilled water, whereas the pre-treated rats received the aqueous TMP seed extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg BW for 20 days before co-treatments with CS induction (immobilization and forced swimming) for 81 days. Serum was used to determine the cortisol and testosterone levels. Histology of testis and epididymis was observed with localization of androgen receptor (AR). Sperm parameters and the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily a member 1 (CYP11A1), AR, HSP70, caspases (3 and 9) and tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrPho) proteins were investigated. Results TMP extract improved cortisol level (0.84 ± 0.02 µg/dL) and protected against the damage of reproductive tissues and sperm parameters (count [49.78 ± 3.74 million sperm/mL], viability [90.01 ± 1.17%] and precocious acrosome reaction [1.38 ± 0.48%]). Expression of testicular StAR, CYP11A1, AR and HSP70 proteins was improved. Caspase expression was decreased in treated rats. TMP increased AR expression in CS sperm. Moreover, TyrPho protein expression was corrected after TMP administration. Conclusions TMP seed protected against adverse reproductive parameters in CS via improvements of functionally testicular markers and reductions of apoptotic proteins. It is possible to develop the TMP beans as an alternative medicine in treating of male subfertility caused by CS.

Modern possibilities of phytotherapy for male infertility from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine

“…Lepidium meyenii extract significantly lowered cortisol levels in an experimental model of chronic stress, protected sperm parameters and reproductive tissues from damage, delayed the spermatozoa's premature acrosome reaction, and increased the expression of the testicular steroidogenesis proteins CYP11A1, AR, and HSP70 while lowering caspase expression. These results open the door to using this plant as an alternative medication to treat male infertility (Choowong-In et al 2021;Lapyuneyong et al 2022).…”

Prevention of seminal vesicle damage by Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens seed extract in chronic unpredictable mild stress mice

“… 2012 ; Lapyuneyong et al. 2022 ). In stress rats, T-MP seed extract not only improves male sexual performance but has also been shown to improve testicular markers involved in spermatogenesis and testosterone synthesis (Lapyuneyong et al.…”

“… 2021 ; Lapyuneyong et al. 2022 ). Interestingly, chronic stress can also induce apoptosis via increased Hsp70 and caspase 9 and 3 expression in the seminal vesicles, resulting in decreased epithelial height and seminal secretion (Iamsaard et al.…”

A Systematic Review On Consequential Interventions Of Mucuna Pruriens In Male Infertility

“…Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is secreted by the brain, and it causes the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH), which in turn causes the gonads to release testosterone [28]. In a male fertility clinic, the seeds of this plant should be suggested as a potential dietary supplement and alternative therapeutic value to improve male reproductive activities in CS conditions [29].…”