Annona Muricata protects against cadmium-mediated oxidative damage in the brain and liver of rats
This present research work was designed to investigate the potential chemopreventive effects of Annona Muricata on cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative neuronal damage in Wistar albino rats. In this study, twenty-eight (28) Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups, with seven rats each. Group A served as the control and provided distilled water orally. Groups B, C and D were exposed to 5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride orally, while in Groups C and D 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic seed extract of Annona Muricata were administered, respectively, via oral administration, while group B was left untreated for 14 days. Cadmium induced hepatic damage with significant (p < 0.05) elevation of serum total bilirubin, total protein, AST and ALT. Cadmium also caused oxidative neuronal and hepatic damage in rats with significant decrease in ascorbic acid level, GSH, GPx, CAT and SOD activities in the tissues. Lipid peroxidation (MDA level) was significantly increased in rats treated with cadmium alone. Histological findings reveal distortion in brain architecture with intense inflammatory cells especially seen between the grey and white matter. Liver histology reveal chronic inflammation and infiltration of the hepatic cells. However, administration of ethanolic seed extract of Annona Muricata significantly reverse all the toxic effects of cadmium in the brain and liver, suggesting its hepatoprotective effects and therapeutic importance in neurodegenerative disorders.