Antioxidant effect of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and mate tea(Ilex paraguensys)on quality, lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation of cryopreserved boar epididymal spermatozoa

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the protective ability of the addition of two antioxidant herb extracts, mate tea and lemon balm, on boar epididymal frozen-thawed spermatozoa quality. Testes from mature boars were collected at local slaughterhouse, and sperm samples from epididymis were recovered by flushing. Spermatozoa were cryopreserved in lactose-egg yolk buffer supplemented with various concentrations of lemon balm and mate tea (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g l(-1) ) using the straw-freezing procedure. Motion parameters, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, lipoperoxidation levels and DNA oxidative damage (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine base lesion) were evaluated. There were no differences among experimental groups with regard to motility characteristics, viability, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity; however, the highest concentration of lemon balm produced significant (P < 0.05) improvement in curvilinear trajectory, straightness and amplitude of lateral head displacement after thawing. The supplementation of freezing extender with mate tea and lemon balm reduced sperm lipid membrane peroxidation, and only mate tea protected DNA against oxidative damage during cryopreservation at 120 min post-thawing (P < 0.05). Mate tea experimental extender at concentration of 10 g l(-1) showed the lowest percentage of sperm oxidised DNA and malondialdehyde generation; thus, mate tea is a potential candidate such as antioxidant compound on boar sperm cryopreservation medium.

Study on the Therapeutic Potential of Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) on Male Wistar Albino Rats With Induced-Hypothyroidism

“…The thyroid gland plays a critical role in the synthesis of fatty acids and the degradation of lipids Wang et al (2008); therefore, thyroid dysfunction is often associated with weight gain and elevated glucose levels Pucci et al (2000) and Luño et al (2015). Our results coordinate with that results which indicate an increase in body weight and minimal increasing in glucose levels.…”

“…Its leaves are used in Iranian folk medicine for management of many disorders as it has high capacity of antioxidant properties through its chemical compounds including high amount of flavonoids, rosmaric acid, gallic acid and phenolic contents Miraj et al (2017). Many studies demonstrated that the cytoprotective effect of lemon balm extracts seen in rats was partly due to free radical scavenging properties Luño et al (2015). Moreover, it could protect against oxidative damage induced by various pro-oxidant agents that induce lipid peroxidation by different processes.…”

Can Melissa officinalis improve chromatin structure and sperm parameters in a rat model of varicocele?

“…Melissa officinalis has been reported to demonstrate high levels of antioxidant properties through its chemical constituents including high amount of phenolic compound, flavonoids and gallic and rosmaric acid (Miraj et al., ). In an animal study on cryopreserved spermatozoa of boars, the protective ability of extracts of lemon balm was investigated; it was indicated that administration of lemon balm improves amplitude of lateral head displacement after thawing, curvilinear trajectory and straightness of spermatozoa (Luno et al., ). Martins et al.…”

Beneficial Effects of Lemon Balm Leaf Extract on In Vitro Glycation of Proteins, Arterial Stiffness, and Skin Elasticity in Healthy Adults

“…Thus these findings indicate that arteries and skin are good targets for in vivo studies of LBE. LB is reported to provide beneficial effects on cognitive function in clinical trials (18), psychological stress in an animal model (19), and suppression of oxidation in an in vitro study (33). However, there have been few studies of the effect of LB on arteries and skin.…”