The present study aimed to assess the effects of moringa olifera leaves extract (MOLE) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activities of diluted rabbit semen during chilled storage. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidants activities were determined in MOLE. The extract was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Semen was collected from 10 rabbit bucks, pooled, then divided into five aliquots and diluted each in 5 ml Tris-citric acid-glucose-egg yolk extender (TCGY). The 1st aliquot served as control, while MOLE was added with different concentrations (1.6, 2.0, 2.4 and 2.8 mg/5 ml TCGY extender) for the aliquots 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Diluted semen samples were refrigerated at 5°C for 72 hours. Lipid peroxidation (MDA), H2O2 concentration, SOD activity, CAT activity and GSH concentration were evaluated in chilled semen during the chilling period. Total phenolic contents of MOLE were 19.78 mg GAE /g extract, while total flavonoid contents were 11.94 mg CE / g extract. The MOLE sample exhibited various antiradical activities measured towards DPPH (34.37 mM TE/g) and ABTS (53.47 mM TE/g) and the reducing power was determined by FRAP method (64.59 mM TE/g). This was interpreted by HPLC analysis against 24 standard metabolites. The most effective compound in the MOLE was rutin, rosmarinic acid and pyrogallol. Other compounds were found in fewer amounts as p-hydroxybenzoic acid, hisperdin, caffeic acid, apeginin-7-glucoside, myrcetin and naringeen. Obtained results clearly demonstrated that the addition of 2.0 – 2.8 mg MOLE in the chilled extended rabbit semen proved to be beneficial for minimizing MDA and H2O2 concentration, in addition they increased SOD, CAT activities and GSH concentration compared to the control. |
