Leonurine improves in vitro porcine embryo development competence by reducing reactive oxygen species production and protecting mitochondrial function

Leonurine (LEO) is pseudoalkaloid that has been isolated from motherwort. It has been found to have various biological activities, including an antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to confirm whether LEO could be used in porcine in vitro culture (IVC) medium for its antioxidant effect and related molecular mechanisms. The results showed that embryos in IVC medium supplemented with 40 μM LEO had an increased blastocyst formation rate, total cell number, and proliferation capacity and a low apoptosis rate. LEO supplementation decreased reactive oxygen species levels and increased glutathione levels. Moreover, LEO-treated embryos exhibited improved intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced autophagy. In addition, pluripotency related gene was up-regulated while apoptosis and autophagy related genes were down-regulated with LEO supplementation. These results suggest that LEO has a beneficial effect on pre-implantation embryo development by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing mitochondrial function.