The Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Annona Muricata (Graviola) on Radiation-Induced Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury.

Abstract

Background: In radiotherapy (RT) exposure area, normal tissues are also affected that may cause serious complications in the patients. This study aimed to evaluate Annona muricata’s radioprotective effects on sciatic nerve injury due to ionizing radiation (IR). Methods and Results: 32 adult female Wistar albino rats separated into 4 equal groups; Control (C), Annona muricata leaf extracts (AME), radiation (RAD), radiation and Annona muricata leaf extracts (AME+RAD). In groups AME and AME+RAD, Annona muricata leaf extracts were administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg for the first day and 50 mg/kg everyday for following one week intraperitoneally. In RAD and AME+RAD, rats were exposed to a single dose of 20 Gray IR to their right legs. All the subjects were sacrified at the end of the first month. Oxidative stress biochemical parameters (SOD, CAT and GPx) from blood samples were analyzed. Right sciatic nerves extracted and histomorphology evaluated. Statistically significant vasculature, degenerative and necrotic changes were observed in RAD, compared to C and AME (p<0,01). Swelling in myelin sheath was predominantly seen in RAD. Alterations in the level of CAT (p<0,01), SOD (p<0,01) and GPx (p<0,05) in AME+RAD group compared to RAD group were found to be statistically significant.Conclusion: Our study unveiled that AM could have a potential of biochemically and histomorphology healing on sciatic nerve injury due to ionizing radiation.