EFFECTS OF ANNONA SQUAMOSA LEAVE EXTRACT ON GROSS CONGENITAL ANOMALIES IN DIABETIC ALBINO RATS

Effect of Annona Squamosa Leave Extract

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of aqueous leave extract of Annona squamosa on gross congenital anomalies in diabetic albino rats.
Study Design: A randomized controlled trail (RCT) study.Place and duration of study: This study was conducted during the period of one year in the Anatomy department of University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: Eighteen albino pregnant rats were randomly divided into three equal groups; Control (A), Diabetic (B) and Treated (C). Diabetes was induced by single intra peritoneal injection of streptozocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg), in the rats of groups B and C on 8th gestational day. Group C rats were additionally given the Annona squamosa leave extract (350mg/kg/day) throughout the gestation after the confirmation of diabetes by checking blood glucose levels on 10th gestational day. Fetuses were obtained by sacrificing the animals on 20th gestational day; these were euthanized; their birth weight and crown rump length (CRL) were recorded and gross malformations were observed under stereomicroscope. After fixation with 10% formalin, the position of thoracic and abdominal viscera was also observed.
Results: Mean birth weight and CRL in group B fetuses were significantly low (3.2±0.9g & 3.3±0.5cm) as compared to group A (4.7±0.5g & 4.3±0.3cm) and group C (3.8±0.2g & 3.9±0.2cm, p<0.05). Group B fetuses showed high frequency of craniofacial malformations and positional abnormalities of heart, diaphragm and kidneys. The group C fetuses did not show such malformations.
Conclusion: It is concluded that gestational use of Annona squamosa tends to alleviate the diabetes induced fetal malformations.