Evaluation of The Weight and Sugar Level Upon Administration of Aqueous Extract of the Pulp of Annona muricata on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Adult Wistar

Abstract

Background: Annona muricata Linn. Of the family Annonaceae, commonly known as soursop, is a very common fruit in the Sub-Saharan Africa with slightly juicy, acidic taste when ripe, whitish and aromatic with abundant seeds. It is a plant well known for its folklore use for varied disease conditions in Africa particularly diabetes mellitus described as a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, and/or insulin action. Elevated blood sugar is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aqueous extracts of the pulp of soursop fruit in an alloxan induced diabetic wistar rat when compared with Metformin, with the specific objectives of determining the effect of Annona muricata juice on the diabetic pancreatic islet cells and to compare its effect with that of the drug metformin also called Glucophage through weight and fasting blood sugar level determination. Methods: A total of Twenty-five albino adult wistar rat were used and allocated into five groups of five animals each designated as groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The experimental groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were administered through oral route in different doses of extract and metformin. Group 1: served as the control, Group 2: Diabetes + Metformin 100mg, Group 3: Diabetes + Low dose Annona muricata 10ml/kg, Group 4: Diabetes + high dose of Annona muricate 20ml/kg, Group 5: Diabetes only. Experimental rats of the groups were kept without feed for 24 hours prior to induction and then induced with alloxan solution through intraperitoneal injection. Data was analyzed using split-plot analysis of variance for body weight and fasting glucose level, followed by post hoc test. Results: Results were presented as mean ± SEM with significant difference determined at P˂0.05. With control group treatment with alloxan+Metformin (Group II) it resulted in a significant reduction (P˂0.05) in body weight after administration. Treatment with alloxan + high dose AME (20ml/kg) resulted in a significant increase (P˂0.05) in body weight after administration. The fasting sugar level of alloxan ± AME treated group and alloxan-treated group was significantly different when compared with the control group 1 and Metformin-treated group. Conclusion: The study concludes that the plant extract of Annona muricata moderately reduces sugar level and weight value which invariably can aid in management of diabetes; and when compared with Metformin, the effect was moderate hence it is recommended that a combined treatment option be administered in case of severe hyperglycaemia so as to rapidly counter its effect and thus minimize long term complications.