Male infertility is a critical health issue associated with different causes, of which is oxidative stress. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of Moringa peregrina against male infertility. The antioxidant activity of leaf extracts was measured, and the phytochemical constituents of which phenols and flavonoids were quantified using standard methods. The effect of M. peregrina on male fertility profile was evaluated based on biochemical parameters and semen analysis. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and total testosterone were measured. Sperm motility and other properties such as morphology, vitality, teratogenicity, and speed tracking were reported. For the aqueous and methanolic extracts, the total phenol contents were 170.64 ± 0.94 and 185.78 ± 4.12 and total flavonoids content were 60.22 ± 1.3 and 57.03 ± 2.4 μg/mg plant extract ± SD, respectively. The obtained results confirmed the potential activity of the 500 mg/kg water extract in ameliorating the harmful effect of metronidazole and enhancing sperm quality. Significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the physical characteristics of the semen was observed, while nonsignificant alteration in testosterone serum level and undetectable gonadotrophin levels were reported. Moringa peregrina water extract was suggested as a potential remedy for preventing asthenoteratozoospermia and necrozoospermia, with no effects on sex hormones.
Key words: Protective effect, Moringa peregrina, male infertility, natural remedy, antioxidant.
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