In Vitro Effects of Mentha suaveolens, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Lippia citriodora Essential Oils on Sperm...

Introduction and objective Phytotherapy offers a promising approach for treating male infertility by harnessing the bioactive properties of various medicinal plants. Studies have shown that plant extracts rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds can improve sperm quality, particularly by reducing oxidative stress, a key factor in decreased motility and DNA integrity of spermatozoa. Our study aimed to investigate how in vitro supplementation with Mentha suaveolens (apple mint), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and Lippia citriodora (lemon verbena)affects human sperm motility and vitality. We also evaluated their influence on sperm DNA integrity by measuring the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and the sperm chromatin decondensation index (SDI). In addition, this study investigated the concentration-dependent effects of these essential oils using an in vitro experimental approach and included the separate analysis of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic samples in order to better assess their potential impact on sperm quality. Materials and methods We tested different concentrations of the three essential oils (Mentha suaveolens, Rosmarinus officinalis, Lippia citriodora) from 10 µg/µl to 80 µg/µl on normozoospermic (n=120) and asthenozoospermic (n=120) sperm samples in vitro to assess their impact on sperm parameters, including motility, vitality, DNA fragmentation index, and sperm chromatin decondensation index. Results Our results revealed a strong association between essential oils and sperm parameters. A significant improvement in motility was observed for normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic samples at a concentration of 10 µg/µl in the two essential oils Mentha suaveolens and Rosmarinus officinalis, and at a concentration of 40 µg/µl for the essential oil Lippia citriodora. However, a significant difference was noted in sperm vitality. Furthermore, both the DNA fragmentation index and the sperm chromatin decondensation index showed statistically significant differences in both samples (p < 0.001). Conclusion These data suggest that essential oil supplementation could be a promising approach to improving sperm quality and potentially enhancing male fertility.