Comparative Evaluation of the Cytogenetic Effects of Annona spp. Peel and Seed Extracts in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in assessing industrial agricultural plant residues as potential sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic value. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the cytogenetic effects of extracts derived from the peel and seeds of soursop (Annona muricata) in male albino rats (in vivo) and in two cancer cell lines (in vitro), The findings indicated that extracts from the soursop fruit peel and seeds reduced cell viability in a manner dependent on both concentration and exposure time.
The inhibitory effects reached their maximum 72 hours following treatment at the highest experimental concentration of 1000 µg/mL Using the cytotoxicity data, an optimal concentration was selected for each extract, characterized by minimal cytotoxicity and the maintenance of cell viability near the negative control level. These concentrations were subsequently used to assess cytotoxic and genotoxic effects and to evaluate the protective action against cyclophosphamide. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that cyclophosphamide exposure produced significant alterations in cellular and genetic indicators—specifically, a reduction in the mitotic index and an elevation in genetic damage markers relative to the negative control. Conversely, co-treatment with the optimal concentrations of peel and seed extracts alongside cyclophosphamide improved these parameters, as evidenced by an increased mitotic index and decreased genetic damage markers compared with the group treated with cyclophosphamide alone. Collectively, the results indicate that the two extracts, when administered at non-toxic or low-toxicity concentrations, exert protective effects at the cellular and genetic levels against cyclophosphamide-induced injury.
Moreover, basing the selection of the optimal concentration on the cytotoxicity results is important for interpreting this protective effect: the improvement in the mitotic index and the reduction in genetic damage markers at that concentration suggest that protection is not merely a consequence of cytotoxicity, but may instead be associated with the extracts’ capacity to counteract the harmful effects of cyclophosphamide.