Anti-Inflammatory Screening of Annona Squamosa (Sugar Apple) on RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Abstract

Throughout history, it has been a common practice to study plants as a source of
medicine due to its bioactive compounds that have been studied to develop anti- inflammatory
agents for infections and inflammatory diseases. An example of a medicinal plant is Annona
squamosa (sugar apple), belonging to the Anonacae family. It is well known for its traditional
uses in treating dysentery, haemorrhage, and fever. The aim of this research was to evaluate
the presence of anti-inflammatory properties of ethanolic crude extract of Annona squamosa
fruit. Ethanolic extraction of Annona squamosa fruit was obtained through oven drying and
ethanolic maceration for 3 days in ratio 1:10. Anti-inflammatory properties were analyzed by
conducting cell viability analysis through MTT assay and nitric oxide production analysis
through Griess assay on lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Griess
assay of the extract revealed anti-inflammatory activity through suppression of NO levels in
LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, exhibiting a dose-dependent activity with the highest
observed at 1 mg/ml (3.96 μM ± 0.61 μM). This study has proven that ethanolic extract of
Annona squamosa fruit exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties by decreasing NO levels
during inflammatory responses of macrophages when stimulated with lipopolysaccharides,
showing a potential as a treatment for inflammation.