Liver Protective Effects of Annona Muricata Leaf Extract in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Finding out how Annona Muricata leaf extract protects the liver in wistar rats is the goal of this study. A total of 78 adult male rats obtained from the laboratory animal production unit of the Department of Physiology, Abia State University, Uturu were used for the different segments of the study. Eighteen of the rats were used for acute toxicity/lethal dose evaluation of the extract while the remaining sixty (60) were used for the testosterone-induced hyperplasia study. Prostate hyperplasia was induced in the rats via daily sub-cutaneous administration of testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Sixty rats used for this segment of the study were assigned to 6 groups of 10 rats and treated as follows: Group 1, Normal control, no treatment. Group 2 Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg) only and was the BPH control. Group 3, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Finesteride (3 mg/kg body weight). Group 4, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Annona Muricata Leaf extract (300 mg/kg body weight). Group 5, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Annona Muricata Leaf extract (600 mg/kg body weight). Group 6, Annona Muricata Leaf extract (600 mg/kg bw) only. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected into EDTA and plain bottles for liver function parameters were determination using the respective commercial test kits. Data obtained were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 20.0, IBM SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) was used for data analysis. Level of significance was calculated by One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Data were analyzed using Duncan Multiple Range Test and complemented with Student’s t test for post-hoc test for comparisons of the means of the various doses and fractions. P- values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significantly different between the test and control groups as well as among test groups for measured value. Conclusively, liver function parameters assessed in this study highlight significant deviations induced by testosterone and the subsequent therapeutic effects of Finasteride and Annona muricata (AML) extract treatments. Elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alongside reduced levels of total protein, albumin, and globulin in the BPH control group, indicate liver dysfunction and impaired synthetic function.