title: Antioxidant and drug detoxification potential of aqueous extract of Annona senegalensis leaves in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocellular damage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the myriad uses of Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) leaves in folklore medicine of Nigeria, the basis is yet to be substantiated by scientific investigations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the antioxidant (in vitro and in vivo) and drug detoxification potential of aqueous extract of A. senegalensis leaves in CCl₄-induced hepatocellular damage.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of A. senegalensis leaves was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H₂O₂, superoxide ion, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) and ferric ion models while in vivo antioxidant and drug detoxification activities of the extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight were done by assaying the levels of enzymic and non-enzymic indices in CCl₄-induced hepatocellular damage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract at 1 mg/mL scavenged DPPH, H₂O₂, superoxide ion, and ABTS radicals, whereas ferric ion was significantly (P <0.05) reduced. The levels of alkaline and acid phosphatases, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione, vitamins C and E, glutathione S-transferase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced):Quinone oxidoreductase, uridyl diphosphoglucuronyl transferase, malondialdehyde, and lipid hydroperoxide that decreased in CCl₄ treated animals were significantly attenuated by the extract in a manner similar to the animals treated with the reference drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ability of the aqueous extract of A. senegalensis leaves to scavenge free radicals in vitro and reversal of CCl₄-induced hepatocellular damage in rats suggest antioxidant and drug detoxification activities. Overall, this study has justified the rationale behind some of the medicinal uses of the plant in folklore medicine of Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Phytomedicine, Toxicology, Reproductive and Developmental Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Taofeek O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Ajboye
authors.forename: Musa T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Yakubu
authors.forename: Amadu K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Salau
authors.forename: Adenike T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Oladiji
authors.forename: Musbau A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Akanji
authors.forename: Joseph I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Okogun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031041:Annona / Q000737:chemistry*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D009549:Nigeria; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride