β-Elemene Inhibits Human Sperm Function by Affecting Sperm Vitality and Intracellular Calcium.

Background/aims: β-Elemene is a bioactive sesquiterpene compound that exhibits a potent anti-tumor effect and is used in various clinical applications. However, little is known about its effect on the male reproductive system. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro actions of β-elemene on human sperm function and elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Rosmarinic acid compromises human sperm functions by an intracellular Ca concentration-related mechanism.

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a natural phenolic ester, is cytoprotective for male reproduction in animal models. The present study investigated the in vitro actions of RA on human sperm functions. Human sperm were exposed to 1, 10, 100, and 1000 μM RA in vitro and sperm functions were examined.