Effect of Mucuna pruriens (Wanduru me) on viability of sperm in vitro

Introduction: Sub-fertility is defined as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Some herbal plants are used in Ayurvedic Medicine to treat sub-fertility. This study aimed to assess the effect of Mucuna pruriens on percentage of sperm viability reduction with time.
Methods: A total of 32 fertile males aged between 18-50 years were recruited for the study. Semen samples were collected. Samples were allowed to liquefy and then aliqoted. Mucuna pruriens water extractions and ethanol extractions were prepared. Aliqoted semen samples were incubated with 2 mg/mL, 1.5 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL concentration of Mucuna pruriens extractions for 90 minutes in 37⁰C. The control was prepared by adding balanced salt solution to the sperm without adding Mucuna pruriens. Sperm viability in each solution was measured after 15 minutes, 45 minutes and 90 minutes. Same procedure was followed for 10 semen samples from sub-fertile men.
Results: There is a statistically significant difference in mean values of the sperm viability between the control samples and semen incubated with 2 mg/mL, 1.5 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL concentration of Mucuna pruriens water extractions. There is a statistically significant improvement of sperm viability with all concentrations of Mucuna pruriens. The highest percentage of sperm viability was demonstrated in 1.5 mg/mL of Mucuna pruriens distilled water extraction while there was no significant effect demonstrated with ethanol extractions.
Conclusions: Distilled water extraction of Mucuna pruriens seeds is effective in sustaining sperm viability until 90 minutes of incubation at 37°C.