Bioactivity of Nelumbo nucifera extract on sperm recovery due to 2-methoxyethanol exposure: In vivo and in silico study

Abstract

One of the causes of male infertility is influenced by the compound 2-Methoxyethanol (2-ME) that can increase Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which affect sperm quality. This study aims to analyze the effects of various doses of Nelumbo nucifera extract on sperm quality in mice. Methods: Male ddy mice were divided into six equal groups. The negative control group was given aquades for 28 days, the positive control group was injected with 0.05 ml of 2-ME for 7 days, compare control group was injected with 0,05 ml 2-ME and clomiphene citrate 50 mg for 21 days. The treatment groups were injected with 0.05 ml of 2-ME for 7 days followed by injection different doses of N. nucifera extract, namely 50 mg/kg body weight (BW), 150 mg/kg BW, and 450 mg/kg BW for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed, and sperm suspensions were collected from the epididymis to measure morphology, concentration, and motility. In silico testing was performed by preparing ligands and the GSK3b protein receptor using PyMOL, and then tested to determine the binding energy using PyRx. Results: The administration of N. Nucifera extract can significantly improve sperm morphology, concentration, and motility (p<0.05). The dose of 450 mg/kg BW has a pronounced protective effect. Quercetin is the compound of N. nucifera extract with the highest inhibition of non-receptor protein kinase and the most significant antioxidant effect. N. nucifera extract can improve the decline in sperm quality caused by exposure to 2-Methoxyethanol.

Keywords

• nelumbo nucifera
• sperm recovery
• 2-metoxyethanol
• in-vivo
• in-silico