The anti-ulcerative colitis effects of Annona squamosa Linn. leaf aqueous extract in experimental animal model

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Annona squamosa (A. squamosa) leaf aqueous extract against acetic acid induced colitis in rats with a trial to explore its use for the treatment of colon inflammation. Sprague Dawley rats weighing 180-200 g were used in this study. Treatment with A. squamosa extract at dose 300 mg/kg for 4 weeks counteracted acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis by a significant decrease (P<0.05) of colonic tissue of malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant increases of catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) compared to ulcerative colitis control group. Furthermore, induction of oxidative stress was observed in the colonic tissue through the levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) which significant increase in colonic tissue DNA by acetic acid. Moreover AA induced significant increase in serum interleukin-10 (IL10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor (TGF 1β), and C reactive protein (CRP) as compared to the control group. On the contrary, our results showed AA induced significant decrease of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thyroid hormones triiodothyronin and thyroxin (T3 & T4) in installed group with AA as compared to control which significantly improved after treatment with A. squamosa leaf extract. Histopathological observation in our study confirmed the biochemical study. Thus, therapeutic method offer a sign to analyze further the effectiveness of A. squamosa as a unique agent for alleviating colitis.