Evaluation of anti-fatigue and antioxidant activities of ethanolic leaf extracts of Annona squamosa and Annona reticulata

Abstract

The present work aimed to estimate the possible antioxidant and anti-fatigue effect of ethanolic leaf extracts of Annona squamosa and Annona reticulata. In vitro antioxidant activities of leaf extracts were investigated through hydroxyl and phosphomolybdenum assay methods. The anti-fatigue activity of leaf extracts (75 and 150 mg/kg) was elucidated by a weight-loaded forced swimming test, and the potential mechanism was explored by determination of fatigue-related biochemical parameters like blood lactate and Serum urea nitrogen in mice. Results indicated that significant antioxidant activity was observed by ethanolic leaf extract of A. squamosa compared to ethanolic leaf extract of A. reticulata and the results are comparable with that of standard Ascorbic acid. In vivo experimental studies, leaf extracts could evidently extend exhaustive swimming time of mice, inhibit the increase of blood lactic acid (BLA) and decrease serum urea nitrogen (BUN) of mice after swimming. Considering all these, the leaf extracts possessed appreciable efficacy to alleviate fatigue, and the mechanism might be associated with favorably modulating the process of energy consumption, metabolism, and attenuating oxidative stress injury. The results provided an important basis for developing the leaf extracts as a novel antioxidants and for treating fatigue.

Keywords: Anti-fatigue activity, antioxidant activity, Annona squamosa, Annona reticulata.