Preliminary Evidence Of Possible Neurotoxic Activity Of Aqueous Annona muricata (Soursop) Leaf Extract In The Cerebellum Of Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

Global trends show a rising adoption of plant-based diets due to their therapeutic benefits, however, studies show that some medicinal plants may induce neurotoxicity.  Accordingly, this study investigated the preliminary evidence of possible neurotoxic activity of aqueous Annona muricata (Soursop) leaf extract (AMLE) on the cerebellum of adult Wistar rats using appropriate standard procedures after the cerebella were assayed for antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation and histological changes. Findings revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the body, brain, cerebellar, relative cerebellar weights, and cerebellum-brain weight ratio of all AMLE-treated rats compared to control. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in CAT activity in AMLE-treated rats compared to control, however; there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in SOD activity and a significant increase (p<0.05) in MDA concentration in rats treated with 5000 mg/kg BW of AMLE compared to control. Also, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in ambulation, line crossing, and movement initiation score, and a significant increase (p<0.05) in immobility in rats treated with 5000 mg/kg BW of AMLE compared to control. Histological findings reveal relatively normal and intact histology of the cerebellum in all AMLE-treated rats following comparison to control. Conclusively, treatment of the experimental rats with AMLE did not adversely affect the cerebellum except for a few parameters at 5000 mg/kg BW, thus indicating that AMLE may be toxic at higher doses.