Antioxidative potential of alpha-mangostin against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in human sperm

Oxidative stress has detrimental effects on sperm viability and fertility, and antioxidant supplementation can improve sperm quality and function. Alpha-mangostin (alpha-MG) has high potential antioxidants, but its effects on human sperm quality have not been thoroughly explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of alpha-MG on sperm motility, acrosome reaction after ionophore challenge (ARIC), enzymatic antioxidative activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in human sperm. Semen samples from 30 men were subjected to 150 mu M of H2O2 (to induce oxidative stress) and various combinations of alpha-MG (25 mu M and 50 mu M). The results indicated that supplementing sperm with alpha-MG at 25 mu M and 50 mu M significantly increased the percentage of progressive sperm motility. Both alpha-MG concentrations resulted in significant reduction in the ARIC index. MDA levels in samples supplemented with alpha-MG were lower than in samples without alpha-MG. The concentration of alpha-MG at 50 mu M substantially improved the catalase activity, and at 25 mu M, substantially enhanced the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. In summary, supplementation of alpha-MG optimized the motility and acrosome reaction index of human sperm exposed to oxidative stress.