Improvement of spermatozoa concentration due to maximal exercise with Vitis gracilis Wall.

Context: Swimming is a common form of exercise; however, excessive exercise might reduce sperm count by lowering testosterone levels and increasing the production of free radicals, commonly known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). In Indonesia, Vitis gracilis Wall. is a traditional remedy for increasing stamina. Aims: To assess the concentration of spermatozoa after vigorous physical activity and V. gracilis administration, as well as the histological and apoptotic changes in testicular histology that occur via caspase-3 expression. Methods: This study was conducted on six groups of rats: the control group (G+), a group of rats subjected to vigorous swimming then administered 0.2 mg/kg BW vit C (GVitC), and three groups of rats subjected to vigorous swimming then administered 100, 125, or 150 mg/kg BW V. gracilis (G100, G125, and G150). Testicular tissue and blood serum samples were extracted from the rats subjected to vigorous swimming. Testicular tissue was immunohistochemically stained using caspase-3 antibody and TUNEL assays, while blood samples were analysed using ELISA. Results: V. gracilis administration significantly affected IL-6 and testosterone levels (p<0.00). Testosterone had a greater impact on spermatozoa concentration than IL-6. Caspase-3 expression and the proportion of apoptotic cells were both markedly reduced. Conclusions: Administering 125 mg/kg BW V. gracilis can help to increase sperm concentration by reducing apoptosis through altering caspase-3 and IL-6 levels, thereby preventing inflammation. This plant might be a viable molecular therapeutic target for staminal medicines.