https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4072-7936
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Abstract
It is well-established that Morus alba and its derivatives have been clinically proven to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although several studies have mentioned the beneficial effect of Morus alba on kidney disorders, the role of Morus alba in CKD still needs to be explored. Thus, this study investigated the effect of Morus alba and chlorogenic acid treatment on renal fibrosis in mice induced with unilateral urethral obstruction (UUO). Twenty-five Balb/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: the sham-operated group, the UUO untreated group, and the UUO treated with enalapril (ENA), Morus alba leaves extract (MLE) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) groups. Urine, blood, and organ samples were collected to evaluate urinalysis, haematology, biochemistry, and histopathology. The result indicated that the UUO group had significantly higher levels of creatinine (p < 0.001) and urea (p < 0.05), as well as hydronephrosis and urine crystal sedimentation (p < 0.05). In comparison to the UUO group, the MLE and CGA groups displayed improved urine profiles, ameliorated anaemia (p < 0.05), and urine crystals (p < 0.05). The administration of CGA also significantly reduced serum creatinine (p < 0.05) and protein-creatinine ratio (UPCr) levels. In addition, MLE and CGA could prevent hydronephrosis and delay renal damage, particularly in the dilation of Bowman’s space, tubular injury, loss of tubular epithelium, and cellular inflammation. In conclusion, Morus alba and CGA had a therapeutic effect in minimising the progression of renal damage. As a result, it can be promoted as a complementary renoprotective product based on natural products, as it has a potentially similar effect to enalapril.
PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT
Morus alba is a plant that originated in China and has spread worldwide. This plant has been used in many civilisations for animal feed, culinary uses, and even traditional medicine. Indeed, several studies have shown that the leaves of Morus alba contain various phytochemicals that may positively affect health. Morus alba leaves contain a variety of phytochemicals, including phenolic acids, sterols, coumarins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and flavonols. Several scientific studies have found that certain phytochemicals, particularly chlorogenic acid, have a beneficial effect on renal disease. In fact, Morus alba contains diuretic and free radical scavenging properties that may help prevent kidney damage. Thus, using the mice animal model, this study aimed to provide evidence of the effects of Morus alba leaf extract and chlorogenic acid on CKD symptoms.
REVIEWING EDITOR:
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Histology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and the Nutrition Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM, for providing the facilities for this study. All staff of Universiti Putra Malaysia were thanked for their technical assistance in conducting this study.
Author contributions
Ahmad Fauzi: performing experiment, data curation, formal analysis, methodology, validation, writing–original draft; Nurina Titisari: performing experiment, review and editing; Mohd. Hezmee Mohd. Noor: methodology, supervision; Hazilawati Hamzah: conceptualization, validation, methodology, writing–review, and editing; Azrina Azlan: conceptualisation, funding acquisition, validation, project administration, supervision, resources, review, and editing. All data were generated in-house, and no paper mill was used. Authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of work, ensuring integrity and accuracy.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
Data will be made available on request.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Ahmad Fauzi
Ahmad Fauzi is a veterinarian and an assistant professor within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Brawijaya in East Java, Indonesia. He is pursuing a doctoral degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, with a special interest in clinical pathology. His research pursuits centre around herbal medicine and kidney diseases. Accumulating 20 research and community service grants, Dr. Fauzi has authored and co-authored 33 publications encompassing books, journals, papers, and technical guidelines. Furthermore, he engaged in clinical work at an animal hospital, concurrently serving as the director of the diagnostic laboratory at Brawijaya University Animal Teaching Hospital. In his capacity as a veterinarian, he maintains active membership within the Indonesian Small Animal Practitioner Veterinary Association (ISAPVA) and the Indonesian Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (IALAS).
Nurina Titisari
Nurina Titisari is an assistant professor in veterinary physiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brawijaya.
Mohd. Hezmee Mohd. Noor
Mohd. Hezmee Mohd. Noor is a lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia. His areas of expertise are clinical pharmacology and toxicology.
Azrina Azlan
Azrina Azlan is a professional technologist recognised by the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT), and she is a professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Hazilawati Hamzah
Hazilawati Hamzah is a lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her areas of expertise are cytopathology, blood vessel disease, blood cancer, and ethnopharmacology.