RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Annona squamosa has beneficial properties. However, its cytotoxicity and antioxidative effects on human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60) deserve investigation. Therefore, the efficacy of its crude extracts in offsetting damage in HL60 cells subjected to oxidative stress was studied. METHODS: Crude extracts at different concentrations were incubated with HL60 cells. The beneficial properties of the plant extract against oxidative damage were evaluated post-induction of oxidative stress utilizing hydrogen peroxide. RESULTS: Extracts at concentrations 600 and 800⯵g/mL were most effective at increasing the viability of damaged cells compared to the control group after 48â¯h of incubation. Significant increases in lipid peroxidation were observed in exposed cells treated with 600⯵g/mL extract after 72â¯h of incubation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities significantly increased in exposed cells after 24â¯h of incubation at all extract concentrations. Exposed cells treated with 600 and 1,000⯵g/dL of the extract showed significantly increased catalase activity after 48â¯h, and a similar profile was maintained after 72â¯h of exposure. SOD activity in exposed cells remained significantly increased at all treatment concentrations after 48 and 72â¯h of incubation. Treatment with 400, 600, and 800⯵g/mL of the extract resulted in significantly increased reduced glutathione levels compared to the other groups after 24 and 72â¯h of incubation. However, after 48â¯h of incubation, significant increases were noted in glutathione levels in exposed cells incubated with either 400, 800, or 1,000⯵g/mL extract. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that A. squamosa might effectively protect against oxidative damage in a time and extract concentration-dependent manner.