Effects of Sesamum indicum L. Seed Extract on Male Reproductive Parameters and In Silico Anti-Infertility Insights.

Abstract

The etiological contribution of male factors to infertility remains a significant concern in reproductive health. Natural dietary products are gaining attention as promising interventions to improve male infertility. This study investigates the effects of aqueous extract of Sesamum indicum L. (S. indicum) on male reproductive parameters and potential anti-infertility mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: a control group (distilled water), two treatment groups receiving aqueous S. indicum extract (1.5 and 3.0 g/kg) for 30 days, and corresponding recovery groups. Reproductive organs were assessed for weight and sperm parameters. Blood serum was analyzed for luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and lipid profile parameters. Incorporating in silico approaches, bioactive compounds of S. indicum were screened from a database, and their targets were predicted via network pharmacology, followed by functional enrichment analyses and molecular docking. Findings show that S. indicum significantly increased (p < 0.05) the weights of the hearts, adrenal glands, livers, and accessory reproductive organs. Sperm count and morphology, as well as LH and testosterone levels, were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Network pharmacology identified linoleic acid, oleic acid, biotin, and esculentic acid as key contributors to the extract's anti-infertility effects, potentially via interactions with EGFR, HIF1, BCL2, TNF, and AKT1. These interactions, supported by favorable binding affinities, may involve antioxidative pathways. Although the exposure duration, differences in extraction methods, paucity of experimental molecular data, and algorithmic constraints represent potential limitations, the present findings provide pharmacological insights into the therapeutic role of S. indicum in male infertility.