Evaluation of Renoprotective Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Morinda citrifolia L. in a Murine Model of Gentamicin-induced Nephrotoxicity

AIM: The present study was undertaken to evaluate noni fruit juice for its protective effects on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. METHODS:Wistar albino rats of either sex, weighing 150-200g were divided into 4 groups; normal saline, gentamicin 80 mg/kg, i.p.,i for 8 days, noni fruit juice 5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o., for 8 days, noni fruit juice 3 days prior and concurrently with gentamicin for 5 days. Blood urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid and blood urea nitrogen analyses and microscopic examination of kidney were performed after the treatment. RESULTS: Gentamicin treatment caused nephrotoxicity as evidenced by marked elevation in blood urea and serum creatinine. Serum urea, serum uric acid, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were increased with gentamicin compared to saline-treated animals (162.33 ± 9.92mg/dl, 3.13 ± 0.12 mg/dl, 6.85 ± 0.35 mg/dl and 75.86 ± 4.64 mg/dl respectively).Co-administration of noni fruit juice with gentamicin decreased the rise in in these parameters in a dose dependent manner. Study of renal morphology by light microscope showed epithelial loss with intense granular degeneration involving >50% renal cortex in gentamicin treated rats, whereas in noni fruit juice plus gentamicin treated rat revealed insignificant changes in tubular epithelium. CONCLUSION: To conclude, our data suggest that supplementation of noni fruit juice may be useful in reducing gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats