Protective Effects of Methanol and Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Annona muricata Linn on Sodium Selenite-Induced Oxidative Stress on the Liver in Selenite Cataract Rat Model

Background and objective: Oxidative stress induces lens opacity. Annona muricata extracts have demonstrated potential anti-oxidant and medicinal efficacy. This study evaluated the protective effects of methanol and aqueous leaf extracts of Annona muricata Linn on sodium selenite-induced oxidative stress on the liver in a selenite cataract rat model

Methods and study design: The study involved 55 Wistar suckling pups randomly split into 11 groups. Sodium selenite (30 μmol/kg, S.C) was administered on the 10th day of life, with the exception of the normal control group. Group C (positive control) was treated with the reference drugs (vitamin C) (100 mg/kg, oral) for 21 days. Groups D, E, F and G received methanol extract orally at 100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg, respectively for 21 days. Groups H, I, J and K received aqueous extract orally at 100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg, respectively, for 21 days. Water was given to group A (normal control) instead of the extract and no treatment was given to group B (negative control).

Results: Compared to test control, the malondialdehyde levels of the other groups, and the catalase activity of the aqueous extract treated groups were significantly (p<0.05) lower, and the glutathione peroxidase activity of the aqueous extract treated groups were significantly (p<0.05) higher. The aqueous extract treatment also significantly lowered plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities (p<0.05). Histopathology revealed mild inflammatory cells in groups treated with Methanol extract but showed normal hepatocytes in groups treated with aqueous extract.

Conclusion: These findings show that the methanol and aqueous extracts of Annona muricata have dose-dependent hepatoprotective properties and may be a viable plant for the development of an anti-hepatotoxic drugs.

Keywords: Annona muricata, Hepatotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, Anti-oxidation, Anti-hepatotoxicity