Assessing the Impact of Annona muricata Aqueous Extract on Liver Enzymes in Wister Rats Exposed to Paracetamol Over Dose

Abstract

Aims: This study examines the effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Annona Muricata on liver enzymes in wister rats using the spectrophotometric method.  Methodology: 20 Wister rats were divided into groups A, B, C, and D, of 5 rats each, housed, fed, and the experimental groups administered treatments orally in distilled water (10 ml/kg) by means of orogastric cannula for 14 days. 500g of the plant powder was submerged for 72 hours 1500ml of distilled water. The sample was taken with a rotating evaporator, an electrical evaporator extraction apparatus. With water heated to 45°C, the solvent was removed. Before use, a paste-like sample was made and kept in a refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius. The animals in group A were used as the control. The animals in group B were given feeds + 20mg of paracetamol, and the animals in group C were administered 100mg of paracetamol + silymarin. In comparison, the ones in group D were given 150mg of paracetamol + Annona muricata extracts. The animals were then sacrificed 48 hours following the final dose. A blood sample was collected, allowed to coagulate, and then the serum was separated, while the liver was excised and utilized for biochemical analyses. Results: The alanine aminotransferase activities (ul) recorded 9.0±2.71, 14.67±1.5, 13.50±0.58, 15.75±2.50 for animals in groups A, B, C, and D respectively with corresponding activities of aspartate aminotransferase (ul) of 7.25±0.50, 27.33±4.04, 20.00±2.71, 17.25±1.71. Results revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the activities of ALT and AST of all the treated groups. Thus, the aqueous leaf extract of Annona muricata could be hepato-protective. The silymarin could also be hepatoprotective, but it is less effective than Annona muricata. The untreated group, B, showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, confirming paracetamol's hepatotoxic activity.  Conclusion: The ethanol leaf extract of Annona muricata decreased the activities of liver enzymes in male wister rats, suggesting its hepato-protective tendency. It also does not encourage body weight loss.