Androstachys johnsonii Prain aqueous leaf extract attenuates oxidative stress in hyperglycaemic-induced spermatozoa: An in vitro study

Oxidative stress is a key instigator in the development of hyperglycaemia-associated complications in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Male infertility is one of the complications associated with oxidative stress and hyperglycaemia. Androstachys johnsonii Prain has been used traditionally to treat hyperglycaemic-related male infertility. Although its antioxidant capacity and phytochemical composition were previously reported, the effect of the plant extract on male parameters under oxidative stress conditions remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of the aqueous leaf extract of A. johnsonii on hyperglycaemic-induced sperm cells of 25 male participants aged 18-40 in Cape Town, South Africa. Sperm parameters were measured after hyperglycaemia induction and treatment with (0.001 µg/ml, 0.01 µg/ml, 0.1 µg/ml, and 1 µg/ml) of plant extract, and 100 µg/ml of acarbose. The exposure of sperm cells to hyperglycaemic conditions for 24 h resulted in a significant ( P <0.05) increase in the production of reactive oxidative species (ROS), DNA fragmentation, and early capacitation and acrosome reaction, and a significant ( P <0.05) decline in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), vitality, motility. After the administration of A. johnsonii extract, there was a significant ( P <0.05) concentration-dependent reduction in ROS production, DNA fragmentation, and an increase in MMP integrity and vitality. The effect of acarbose on the sperm parameters was comparable to the highest concentrations (0.1 µg/ml and 1 µg/ml) of the extract. However, no significant ( P >0.05) change in motility and vitality was observed after treatment with acarbose. There was a significant ( P <0.05) reduction of capacitated and acrosome-reacted sperm cells post-acarbose treatment. These findings revealed the evident potential of A. johnsonii in the improvement of male sperm parameters in DM through the reduction of ROS.