F.E. Olumese et al. 53 African Scientist Vol. 24, No. 1 March 31, 2023 1595-6881/2023 $80.00 + 0.00 Printed in Nigeria © 2023 Society for Experimental Biology of Nigeria https://africansciientistjournal.org AFS2023002/24108 Effect of Aqueous and Methanolic Extract of Annona muricata Stem Bark on Liver Enzymes in Normal Sprague Dawley Rats Olumese, Fidelis E,* 1 Ukueku, Oghenerukevwe James 2 and Orhue, Jerry N. 2 1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. *Corresponding author Email: fidelis.olumese@uniben.edu Tel: +234 (0) 802 353 8551 (Received March 2, 2023; Accepted in revised form March 5, 2023) ABSTRACT: The use of plant extracts to treat diseases in herbal medicine has the potential of causing toxic effects, though of natural origin, it may not be safe. This study evaluated the effect of aqueous and methanolic extract of Annona muricata stem bark consumption in normal rats. Fresh stem bark of Annona muricata (Sour soup) was collected, pulverized, extracted with distilled water or methanol (Aqueous or Methanolic extract). The rats were divided into six (6) groups of five (5) rats per group, for aqueous or methanolic extract. Group 1 (control) rats were administered distilled water, while groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were administered 200, 500, 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight of aqueous and methanolic extract for 28 days. Liver function indices in the serum and histopathological evaluation of the organ were performed. ALT levels at 200 and 500 mg/kg in aqueous or methanolic extract were significantly (p<0.05) altered. Oral administration of aqueous extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the concentrations of total bilirubin and increased (p<0.05) total protein in a dose-dependent manner. The study showed that oral administration of aqueous or methanolic extract did not have any deleterious effects on the liver architecture. Keywords: Plant Bark, Rats, Liver, Methanol, Bilirubin Introduction The leaves, root, seeds and stem bark of plants have been used as herbal medicinal remedies to treat diseases by people in various part of the world. Medicinal plants serve as herbal remedies in diverse culture of the world to treat diseases affecting man such as malaria, hyperglycaemia, cardiovascular diseases and cancer (WHO, 2005). Medicinal plants are great economic importance to a nation, because they are source of foreign exchange and means of providing primary health care to people living in rural communities (Adewole and Caxton-Martins, 2006).The use of plant stem bark extracts decoction to treat diseases in rural communities is not entirely safe as herbal remedies (Larbie et al., 2011), which have not been scientifically screened due to lack of adequate information on the preparation and techniques in the application traditionally (Tijani et al., 2013).This herbal remedies may cause toxic effect to vital body organs and enzymes such as the liver and its enzymes; ALT, AST and ALP, because their scientific mechanism of action and dosage has not been proven (Morelli et al., 2000). The use of plant decoction as herbal remedies can be seen with people in rural communities with less economic income in developing countries (Soetan and Aiyelaagbe, 2009). Annona muricata is a plant that belongs to the Annonaceae family which is widely used to treat diseases due to the bioactive compounds present in various part of the plant with little or no consideration to the toxicological