Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Annona muricata on Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcome

Background: Indiscriminate and increasing consumption of herbal medicinal products by pregnant women presents major concern due to paucity information on safety. Annona muricata also known as soursop is commonly consumed in Nigeria including by pregnant women, but information remains poor on effects on pregnancy outcomes.

Aims and Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the effect of the aqueous extract of Annona muricata leaves on maternal weight gain during pregnancy, placental weight, litter size, body weight at birth and placental/body weight ratio in female Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four (24) female Wistar rats were used for this study. On confirmation of pregnancy by presence of spermatozoa in vaginal smears and vaginal plugs in cages, the rats were then divided into four groups of six rats each receiving different concentration of the extract as follows; 15 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg/kg of body weight. The extract was administered orally and daily throughout the gestational period of the Wistar rats. The maternal body weights were measured daily; before extract administration, during extract administration and prior to sacrifice. On day 18 of pregnancy, 4 rats from each group were sacrificed; placentae harvested and weighed using analytical weighing balance. The foetal number in utero were also determined and recorded. On the day of delivery for the remaining 2 rats, the gestational length, litter size and birth weight were recorded and litter length measured to the nearest (cm) using a measuring tape. Morphological appearance of the offspring was also assessed.

Statistics: Data obtained as mean ± standard deviation were analysed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a post hoc student’s Neuman-Keul’s test. Level of significance between groups was taken as p<0.05.

Results: There was a significant reduction in maternal weight during pregnancy, litter birth weight, litter length, placental weight and placental/birth weight ratio of the extract-treated pregnant group (p<0.05) compared to control group.

Conclusion: Consumption of Annona muricata by pregnant women can significantly reduce the utero-placental transfer of nutrients and as a consequence impair fetal growth.