ABSTRACT

Annona muricata, as it is scientific called but known in most parts of Nigeria as soursop. A. muricata is a member of the Annonaceae family and is a fruit tree with several medicinal properties. Annona muricata is renowned as a medicinal plant with it’s therapeutic activities spanning a wide scope of diseases and ailments. Earlier literatures indicate the effectiveness of this plant in combating hepatitis, malaria, diabetes, and cancer. In this present study the effects of ethanolic extract of Annona muricata in colon cancer in wistar rats induced with 1, 2 Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was investigated. 36 male wistar rats of weight 120g-180g were acclimatized for two weeks and randomized into 6 groups (6 per group). Group A (CONTROL), Group B (EXTRACT, 120mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of A. muricata) and Group C (DMH), Group D (DMH + EXTRACT), Group E (EXTRACT then DMH), Group F (DMH then EXTRACT). The Ethanol extract was administered daily via an oral gavage from week one (1) to fourteen (14) weeks simultaneously after cancer induction. This study reveals the carcinogenic effect of DMH induced rats increased levels was ameliorated by the administration of the ethanolic extract of Annona muricata at a dose of 120mg/kg bwt. The histology of the colon revealed necrosis in the organ tissues of rats treated with DMH only and gradual tissue repair presented with moderate necrosis in the group treated with DMH and thereafter administered with the ethanolic extract of A. muricata. There was significant statistical differences between the six groups (p>0.05) as well as oxidative stress indices. However, the DMH + Ethanol extract of co -treated group showed decreased levels respectively when compared to the normal control (Group A). These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of Annona muricata possesses anticancer properties validating their use in traditional medicine.