Effects of annona squamosa leave extract on gross congenital anomalies in diabetic albino rats

ABSTRACT

To investigate the effects of aqueous leave extract of Annona squamosa on gross congenital anomalies in diabetic albino rats. A randomized controlled trial [RCT] study. This study was conducted during the period of one year in the Anatomy department of University of Health Sciences [UHS] Lahore, Pakistan. 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 10 th gestational day. Fetuses were obtained by sacrificing the animals on 20 th 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. Mean birth weight and CRL in group B fetuses were significantly low [3.2 +/- 0.9g and 3.3 +/- 0.5cm] as compared to group A [4.7 +/- 0.5g and 4.3 +/- 0.3cm] and group C [3.8 +/- 0.2g and 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. It is concluded that gestational use of Annona squamosa tends to alleviate the diabetes induced fetal malformations