The Protective Effects of Annona Muricata (Soursop) Leaf Extract Against Testosterone – Induced Prostate Hyperplasia and Reproductive Dysfunction in a Male Rat Model

In a male rat model, the purpose of this study was to examine the preventive effects of annona muricata leaf extract against testosterone-induced prostate enlargement and reproductive failure. A total of 78 adult male rats was obtained from the laboratory animal production unit of the Department of Physiology, Abia State University, Uturu were used for the different segments of the study. Eighteen of the rats were used for acute toxicity/lethal dose evaluation of the extract while the remaining sixty (60) were used for the testosterone-induced hyperplasia study. Rats were given testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously every day for 28 days in order to cause prostate hyperplasia. Sixty rats used for this segment of the study were assigned to 6 groups of 10 rats and treated as follows: Group 1, Normal control, no treatment. Group 2 Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg) only and was the BPH control. Group 3, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Finesteride (3 mg/kg body weight). Group 4, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Annona Muricata Leaf extract (300 mg/kg body weight). Group 5, Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg bw) + Annona Muricata Leaf extract (600 mg/kg body weight). Group 6, Annona Muricata Leaf extract (600 mg/kg bw) only. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed, Organs including testes, prostate, liver, kidney and heart were harvested, weighed and preserved in labelled sample bottles containing 10% formaldehyde solution for histopathological studies of the testes and prostate. Data obtained were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 20.0, IBM SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) was used for data analysis. Level of significance was calculated by One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Data were analyzed using Duncan Multiple Range Test and complemented with Student’s t test for post-hoc test for comparisons of the means of the various doses and fractions. P- values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significantly different between the test and control groups as well as among test groups for measured value. From this present study, Histopathological evaluations of the testes and prostate consistently revealed preserved tissue architecture in treated animals with Annona muricata leaf extract highlighting the extract's tissue-protective properties in benign prostatic hyperplasia and related male reproductive disorders.