Modulatory Effect of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Annona muricata Pre-treatment on Liver Damage Induced by Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in Rats
Usunobun Usunomena *
Department of Basic Sciences (Biochemistry unit), Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, P.M.B 1100, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Okolie P. Ngozi
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Eze G. Ikechi
Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Annona muricata, dimethylnitrosamine, hepatic, ethanol, necrosis.