Modulatory Effect of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Annona muricata Pre-treatment on Liver Damage Induced by Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in Rats

Aim: This study aim to evaluate the modulatory effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Annona muricata against dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic toxicity in rats.

Methodology: Twenty-four (24) male albino rats divided into four (4) groups of six (6) rats each were used for the study. Group 1 served as control and was untreated, group 2 and 3 were pre-treated with 400 mg/kg Annona muricata for one week while group 3 and 4 each received a single oral dose of 20 mg/kg DMN after one week. The rats were sacrificed 48 hrs after DMN administration.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Benin and Benson Idahosa University, Benin city, between January and April, 2015.

Results: In rats administered 20 mg/kg DMN, Annona muricata pre-treatment at 400 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as significantly increased reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) compared to DMN-alone administered rats which showed the opposite. Histopathological study in corroborating biochemical analysis also showed significant reduction of liver damage in the rats.

Conclusion: Annona muricata significantly restored the antioxidant levels in the liver, counteracted oxidative hepatic dysfunction and exhibited significant protective effect against DMN-induced liver toxicity, which can be mainly attributed to the antioxidant property of Annona muricata.