Assessment of Antioxidant Activity of Ethanol and n-Hexane Seed Extracts of Annona muricatain Rats

The in vitro and in vivo antioxidant effects of Annona muricata seed extracts (n-hexane and ethanol extracts) were investigated using ascorbic acid as standard. Free radical scavenging activity in vitro was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1- picryl- hydrazyl (DPPH). Lipid peroxidation was assayed using TBARS. Reduced glutathione and catalase activity were also investigated. Twenty-four male albino rats, divided into six groups were used for the invivo assay. Group A (control) received olive oil, group B and C received 200mg/kg n-hexane and ethanol extracts, respectively, group D received ascorbic acid, group E and F received 100mg/kg of n-hexane and ethanol extracts, respectively. Ethanol and n-hexane extracts at 100μg/ml and 20μg/ml, respectively, exhibited 49% and 32% inhibition of DPPH radical, respectively. Ascorbic acid (standard) exhibited upto96.9% inhibition of DPPH radical even at 20μg/ml. The extracts significantly increased catalase activity, glutathione levels and reduced the formation of malondialdehyde in the treated groups compared with the control especially in the heart and liver tissues. The results of the present study suggest that Annona muricataseed extracts could be a promising source of potent antioxidants that could inhibit lipid peroxidation in tissues as well as ameliorate oxidative stress.