Influence of Annona muricata (soursop) methanolic extracts on antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxidation status of Wistar rats

Background: In vitro antioxidant assessments on extracts of Annona muricata have revealed the marked antioxidant potentials against deleterious pro-oxidants and most of the beneficial influences of the plant have been identified to be due to its potent annonaceous acetogenins content.Material and Methods: The rats were divided into six groups and administered 100, 200, 400,600, and 800 mg/kg of the fruit, leaf, stem-bark, and root-bark methanolic extracts, i.e.2–6, respectively, whereas group 1 received 2ml of distilled water and served as control. At the end of the administration period of 28days, the rats were sacrificedand blood samples collected for onward biochemical assays using standard procedures. Plasma antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation marker was assessed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were the antioxidant enzymes assayed, while plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was the lipid peroxidation marker studied.Results: However, the results obtained demonstrated that the various parts of the plant possess potent ability to boost plasma antioxidant enzyme defense and ameliorate lipid peroxidation as the antioxidant activities were elevated markedly across the groups compared to group 1.Conclusion: The leaf and stem-bark were the most potent in boosting the antioxidants (SOD, CAT and GPX) compared to the fruit and root-bark methanolic extracts of Annona muricata.Key words: Annona muricata; lipid peroxidation; Superoxide dismutase; Catalase;Glutathione peroxidase