Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Sperm Viability of Nelumbo nucifera Petal Extracts

Abstract

Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.; N. nucifera) is a common ingredient in traditional medicine and Thai recipes. Its petal is an agricultural waste from stamen production. There are limitations in the used and pharmacological data of the petals resulting in more petals waste. The aims of this study were to investigate the phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity, and potential effects on sperm viability of aqueous (NAE) and ethanolic extracts (NEE) of both red and white N. nucifera petals. The white NAE had the highest total phenolics content, total tannins content and maximal antioxidant activity. The white NEE had the highest concentration of total flavonoids. Quercetin was a major flavonoid and was found in the aqueous extracts. Both red and white of NAE in the range of 0.22 to 1.76 mg/mL increased sperm viability. The white NAE was prominent in phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, and both red and white NAE effectively increased rat sperm viability in the in vitro model. The white NAE enhanced sperm viability by decreasing oxidative stress. It might be suggested that the N. nucifera petals have benefits for sperm viability health promotion and may increase the economic value of agricultural waste.

Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaf Tea on Sexual Behavior and Reproductive Function in Male Rats

“…The results of this study differed from a previous study in that testicular and epididymis weight increased after treatment with hexane M. oleifera extracted in male mice [45]. Type of solvent in extraction affected the amount of phytochemical contents, for example, N. nucifera petals extracted with hot water had higher phytochemical contents than 95% ethanol [29]. Therefore, the method of solvent extraction and the species of animal might have an effect on testicular weight in the animal model [45].…”

“…It contains essential phytochemical compounds, especially total phenols and flavonoids. Phenolic compounds were easily eluded by polar solvent [27,28], as reported in the study on the N. nucifera petal extract [29]. In the present study, the phenolic compounds eluded in water were shown to be at a higher concentration than flavonoids.…”

“…The anti-AGEs assay was evaluated according to a previous study [29]. Briefly, 50 µL of BSA (1 mg/mL in 0.2 M PBS, pH: 7.4) and 50 µL of D-glucose (1 M) were added to a 96 well-plate.…”

Effect of Nelumbo nucifera Petals Extract on Antioxidant Activity and Sperm Quality in Charolais Cattle Sperm Induced by Mancozeb

“…These effects were the same as taking Vit E, as is commonly used as a positive control, because it is an effective antioxidant for deceased oxidative stress, preventing cell damage, and increasing sperm quality in frozen sperm and azoospermia samples [10,27,28]. The present study showed the WNAE enhanced the sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, sperm viability, and acrosome integrity during the oxidative stress process, suggesting that the crude extract in WNAE contains bioactive compounds that might act with direct effect on the scavenging process of the free radicals in cattle sperm induced by MZ, which was similar to the study in rat sperm induced by ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO 4 ) [5]. Therefore, the compounds of WNAE also have a benefit effect against cell damage.…”

“…Due to the high economic demand for stamens, the lotus petals become agricultural waste. The phytochemical study using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method found that the petals of N. nucifera contained phytochemical components, including quercetin, gallic acid, catechin, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, as well as the white N. nucifera petals aqueous extraction (NAE) which had enhanced rat sperm viability, more phytochemical and antioxidant activity properties than red NAE [5]. However, there are no reports of white NAE for use against mancozeb (MZ) toxicity.…”