Hepato and nephroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Citrullus lanatus (Linn.) juice in gentamicin-overdosed commercial broiler chickens

Abstract

This study evaluated hepato- and nephroprotective potentials of Citrullus lanatus juice (CLJ) on gentamicin-overdosed broilers. Eighty broilers were used for this experiment; fifty broilers were used to confirm gentamicin toxic dose with liver function assay. While thirty broilers were reared from day old to thirty-five days, randomly distributed into six groups with five birds per group. Broilers in group A received 1.0mL/kg normal saline; group B received 45mg/kg gentamicin intramuscularly; group C received 200mg/kg Vitamin C orally. groups received D, E, and F:100, 200, and 400mg/kg of CLJ respectively orally for 14 days later received single dose 45mg/kg gentamicin intramuscularly. Statistical analysis was performed to assess significant differences among groups. Body weights were compared on days 35 and 49. Blood chemistry for liver and kidney functions were examined, liver and kidney pathologies were evaluated at day 49. There was significant increase in body weight of 400-treated birds unlike decreased body weight in GM-treated birds at day 49. There were significant decrease in Na⁺, Creatinine and Uric acids but increase in K⁺ in 400–treated birds compared with gentamicin-treated birds. There were liver and kidney pathological damages in gentamicin-treated birds. These impairments were resolved in 400-treated birds. The hepatoprotection and nephroprotection may be due to ascorbic acids and flavonoids present in CLJ. This may have provided antioxidant effects for restoration of liver and kidney pathological changes in 400-treated birds. This study shows that 400mg/kg CLJ may improve body weight and reversed gentamicin-overdose damages in liver and kidney of broilers.