Analysis of annexin 7 gene of malignant prostatic hyperplasia-induced male wistar rats in the presence of Annona muricata

Background: Prostate cancer has become the most common cancer among African – American men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. Many anti-malignant agents have been isolated from different plant species with minimal or no side effects thus it holds future promise as a resort as cancer biotherapeutics when compared with other treatment methods including synthetic drugs. Aim: This current investigation was aimed at evaluating the anti-proliferative efficacy of the ethanolic extract of Annonamuricata leaf on annexin 7 gene of malignant prostatic hyperplasia induced male wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Sub-chronic daily oral gavage exposure of the test substances to experimental animals lasted for a period of 28 days. Monosodium glutamate and L-arginine (90:22.5 mg/kg/b.wt) with purity 98% were administered concomitantly to the male wistar rats in various treatment groups. A total of 25 male wistar rats of about 6 weeks old weighing between 250–282 grams were used for this investigation. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemicals screening of ethanolic extract of Annona muricata leaf were also carried out. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used in the histological assay of the prostate tissues. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) values were determined using standard protocol and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify annexin-7 gene. 1.5% agarose gel was used to separate the amplicons into bands of varying patterns. Result: Qualitative analysis demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, Saponins, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycoside, reducing sugar, phenol and triterpenes. Quantitative screening of the extract unveiled that alkaloid was present in the highest amount while Cardiac glycosides had the least concentration. The prostate histological assessment revealed a dose-dependent disruption in normal prostate tissue architecture. There was statistically significant difference P ≤ 0.05 in the body weight and prostate specific antigen (PSA) values of the male wistar rats in the experimental groups during the period of this investigation. The varying amplicon band patterns obtained from the treatment groups indicates possible MSG and L-ARG induced mutation in annexin 7 gene. The DNA amplicon bands observed in the positive control without treatments had some degree of similarity with bands obtained from the amplicons in the various treatment groups that were administered with both carcinogens and ethanolic leaf extract while thin bands were observed for the negative control group that was administered with carcinogens alone. Conclusion: This investigation has demonstrated that ethanolic extract of A. muricata leaf could be used as a potent ethno-chemopreventive agent against L-arginine and monosodium glutamate induced malignant prostatic hyperplasia in male wistar rats