Evaluation of Nutritional Properties, Antioxidant and Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Sudanese Annona senegalensis Fruits

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional properties, antioxidant activity, and antihyperlipidemic effects of Sudanese Annona senegalensis fruits. The proximate composition and mineral content of the pulp, seeds, and external crust were analyzed, while the antihyperlipidemic activity was specifically evaluated using ethanolic extracts from the pulp and external crust (seeds were not used in the in vivo study). Thirty hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats were divided into six groups: normal control (A), high-cholesterol diet (B), atorvastatin treatment (C), pulp extract (D), crust extract (E), and mixed extract (F). Results revealed distinct nutritional profiles: pulp showed high carbohydrate content (77.37%), seeds contained substantial oil (24.09%) and fiber (49.01%), while the crust demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity (71.91%). The high-cholesterol diet (Group B) significantly increased total cholesterol (from 50.60 to 67.60 mg/dL) and HDL (from 46.00 to 61.00 mg/dL), while decreasing LDL (from 48.20 to 49.20 mg/dL, non-significant) and triglycerides (from 35.00 to 24.00 mg/dL) compared to normal controls. Treatment with mixed extract (Group F) showed the most potent hypocholesterolemic effect, significantly reducing TC (41.80 to 30.75 mg/dL) and TG (60.40 to 45.25 mg/dL). The crust extract (Group E) significantly increased HDL levels (40.50 to 65.00 mg/dL). These findings demonstrate that A. senegalensis fruits, particularly the crust, possess strong antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties, with potential applications in managing hyperlipidemia.