Arthur F.K.N., Woode E., Terlabi E.O., Larbie C.
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Arthur, F.K.N., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Woode, E., Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Terlabi, E.O., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Larbie, C., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Introduction: Liver diseases and jaundice have continued to be a major health problem in the world's population with most conventional drugs not being adequate for treatment. The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity and antijaundice property of aqueous extract of Annona muricata (Linn.) against carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4) and acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rat model. Materials and Methods: Liver damage and hepatic jaundice were induced in experimental animals by administering CCl4 and acetaminophen after pretreatment with aqueous extract of A. muricata. The aqueous extract at 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was administered for 7 days by oral route. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was given as the standard hepatoprotective drug. Hepatoprotective effect was studied by assaying the activity of serum marker enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and triglycerides while antijaundice effect was assayed by measuring serum total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentration. Results: The activity of all the marker enzymes registered significant increases in CCl4- and acetaminophen-treated rats, decreases in cholesterol and triglyceride concentration, and increases in total and indirect bilirubin, an indication of hepatic jaundice. A. muricata at all doses significantly restored liver function toward normal levels which compared well against silymarin control. Histopathological analysis of liver sections confirmed biochemical investigations. Conclusion: The results indicate that leaves of A. muricata possess hepatoprotective activity and can treat hepatic jaundice.