Nephroprotective Effects of Citrus spp. Fruit-Cuticle Extracts, Melatonin, and Hydrochlorothiazide on HgCl₂-Induced Acute Renal Failure in Albino Rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31530/cjnst.2026.2.2.4Keywords:
Mercury Chloride, Nephrotoxicity, Kidney failure, Rat, Citrus sinensis, Citrus limon, Melatonin, HydrochlorothiazideAbstract
Background: The management of renal failure is a global challenge and roles of medicinal plants in treating acute renal failure (ARF) are still under consideration. Most research focused on their benefits in chronic kidney disease (CKD), leaving a gap in how these natural remedies could help in ARF management.
Aim: To find out how Citrus sinensis, Citrus limon fruit cuticles and melatonin protect the kidneys from HgCl2-induced nephrotoxicity at rat model and comparing them with routine-diuretic thiazide drug.
Patients and Methods: Thirty-six healthy male Wistar rats were evenly allocated into six groups (n=6): Control, Model (ARF), Citrus limon Extract (CLE), Citrus sinensis Extract (CSE), Melatonin (MEL), and Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). The rats were provided with regular food and water ad libitum. except for the control group, both the model and treatment groups were injected with HgCl2 every 72 hours for a duration of three weeks to induce ARF. Treatment protocols were assigned to the treatment groups throughout the trial duration. At the end of the study, serum renal biomarkers including Urea, Creatinine, Uric acid, Electrolytes (Na+, K+, and Cl-), Packed Cell Volume, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were quantified from blood samples.
Result: HgCl2-treated animals exhibited a substantial elevation (p<0.05) in serum urea, creatinine, and MDA levels, alongside a non-significant reduction in serum Na+ and PCV levels, indicating HgCl2-induced renal impairment in comparison to control rats. Moreover, treatments of CLE and CSE, MEL and HCTZ in conjunction with HgCl2 significantly (P<0.05) ameliorated HgCl2-induced nephrotoxicity, in comparison to model rats, indicating a reduction in HgCl2's toxic effects and safeguarding of renal tubules from oxidative stress.
Conclusion: All treatments from the current study showed a mild renal protective effect across biomarkers of urea, creatinine and MDA and CSE showed most significant potential effect.
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