EFFECT(S) OF AN AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF SOURSOP (Annona muricata) ON THE LIVER OF AN ADULT WISTAR RAT

ABSTRACT

All over the world the herbal medicine acts as the representative of the most important fields of traditional medicine. The study on the medicinal plants is essential to promote the proper use of herbal medicine in order to determine their potential as a source for the new drugs. According to world health organization (WHO), greater than 80% of the total world’s population depends on the traditional medicines in order to satisfy their primary health care needs. It also suggested in improving the technologies for cultivation of medicinal plants. The primary aim of this study is to systematically investigate the effects of Annona muricata on the liver of adult Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult Wistar rats weighing (160-250g) were randomly assigned into four groups, each containing six animals. The experimental animals were acclimatised under proper environmental condition. Plastic cages were used to house the animals, with six rats per cage. All experimental animals had free access to feed and clean water during the course of the study. Group A Control group - Feed and water only. Group B was administered with 200kg/mg body weight of aqueous extract of soursop (Low dose). Group C was administered with 400mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of soursop (Intermediate dose). Group D was administered with 800mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of soursop (High dose). The administration was done orally for twenty-eight days. The animals were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia; a midline incision was made through the ventral wall of the abdomen of the rats. The liver was removed and fixed in formal saline for histological analysis. vii Findings in this investigate displayed that aqueous extract of Annona muricata played a role in the activation of Kupffer cells (the local immune system of the liver).