Title of retracted article: Effects of Annona squamosa Seed Extract on Mus musculusExposed to Mercuric Chloride: Evaluations of Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Its Developmental Outcomes Author(s):

The effects of ethanolic extract from the seeds of Annona squamosa were studied in gestating ICR mice subcutaneously treated with 4 mg/kg BW mercuric chloride (MA) and their fetuses in utero starting GD 14 16. Effects of solo exposure of A. squamosa at 25 mg/kg BW or its combinatorial exposure at 25 mg/kg BW and 75 mg/kg BW with MA in the maternal mice and their fetuses were evaluated at GD 19. Results showed that MA significantly increased maternal mortality and fetal resorption index, while inducing decreased fetal size. Exposure of MA and the two seed extract doses significantly enhanced this effect. A. squamosa at 25 mg/kg BW induced abortion and resorption of embryos at a lesser extent compared with the two doses with MA. Lipid peroxidation assay revealed lowered MDA values in the liver and brain of maternal mice exposed to solo and combinatorial exposure of A. squamosa with MA, but not with their fetal counterpart. Maternal mice and fetuses exposed to the two A. squamosa doses with MA show marked hepatic and neurologic histological injury similar to the positive control. The results suggest that A. squamosa seeds have the potential to protect against mercury-induced oxidative stress in the maternal mice, but may not be appropriately applied in gestating subjects due to its potential abortifacient property.