Effect of quercetin, rutin, naringenin and epicatechin on lipid peroxidation induced in human sperm

Quercetin, rutin, naringenin, epicatechin are flavonoids with diverse properties, including antioxidant potential. We evaluated, in vitro, the cytotoxicity of these flavonoids (20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 400μM) in swim-up selected human sperm. Antioxidant activity was tested against tert-butylhydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation using a C11-BODIPY581/591 probe and transmission electron microscopy. A significant concentration-dependent effect on sperm viability (P<0.001) and motility (P<0.001) was observed. Lipid peroxidation was decreased in samples treated with 30μM quercetin (P<0.01) and 30μM rutin (P<0.05) versus samples incubated with tert-butylhydroperoxide alone. Naringenin (50-100μM) showed a low protective effect and epicatechin (200μM) was not efficacious. Transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the protective action of rutin and in particular quercetin on damages induced by lipid peroxidation. These results underlined the antioxidant properties of quercetin and rutin. A possible role of these compounds in the supplementation of media used during semen handling warrants attention and further studies. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.