The Role of Aqueous Extracts of Annona Muricata Linn in Regulating the Levels of Oxidative Markers in Caffeine-induced Brain Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This is an ethno pharmacology study in which the effect of leaves of soursop (Annona muricata Linn) was undertaken on caffeine –induced brain toxicity in wistar rats. Fourty-wister rats of both sexes weighing 90- 250g were procured for the study. The rats were divided into 8 groups of 4 rats per gp, in which gp 1 served as the control, gps 2-7 served as the study or treatment gp while gp 8 received standard   drug (lorazepam). All drug administration was by oral gavage and study lasted for 15 days after which the rats were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia. The   brain tissues were dissected and   homogenized for estimation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the rest for histological studies. Results showed that there were alterations in the histoarchitecture of the brain tissues i.e., distorted pyramidal cells with vacuolated cytoplasm, irregular pyramidal cells with darkly stained nuclei. Furthermore, Annona muricata demonstrated a significant difference in the oxidative stress makers (SOD and MDA) between the control and the drug treated groups. We conclude that Annona muricata leaves extract can efficaciously and effectively counter oxidative stress in caffeine –induced brain toxicity in rats.