Effect of ethanolic stem bark extract of Annona muricata (soursop) on reproductive hormones and ovary in female Wistar rats

Anthonia Kanayo Ezeh 1, Azubuike Nwankwo 1, Kosisochukwu Emmanuel Ifemenam 1, Cornelius Maduabuchi Nwozor 2, *, Basil Nnamdi Ucheonye 3 and Joy Ijeoma Okwummuo 4

1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State. Nigeria.
2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli campus, Anambra State. Nigeria.
3 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, St. Peter’s University, Achina, Anambra State. Nigeria.
4 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State. Nigeria.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2024, 18(02), 280–288
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjbphs.2024.18.2.0285
 
Publication history: 
Received on 03 April 2024; revised on 11 May 2024; accepted on 14 May 2024
 
Abstract: 
The effect of ethanol extract of stem bark of Annona muricata (soursop) on reproductive hormones and ovaries of Wistar rats was studied. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, flavones, flavonols, xanthones, flavanonols, flavonones, and condensed tannins. Twenty (20) experimental animals were randomly grouped into five groups of 4 rats per group and were allowed to acclimatize for 2 weeks. Rats in group A served as the control and were fed with rat feed and water, rats in group B severed as positive control and received low dose clomiphene citrate (20 mg/kg) daily for 21 days, rat feed and water, rats in groups C to E were fed with normal rat feed, water and received different doses of fresh stem bark of Annona muricata extract at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg respectively for 21 days. The animals were sacrificed under anesthesia after the experiment and the ovaries were surgically extracted, weighed and sent for histology. Blood samples were collected for analysis (hormonal assay of luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone and prolactin. This was carried out using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The results showed that there were significant changes in the hormone level of the test groups when compared with the control rats. Significant increase was recorded in progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone p< 0.05. Hence Annona muricata improves fertility in female Wistar rats. There were no histological changes in the ovaries and hence, it was concluded that Annona Muricata does not cause organ damage with increasing dose.
 
Keywords: 
Annona muricata; FSH; LH; Progesterone; Prolactin; Estrogen
 
Full text article in PDF: