Cytogenotoxic study of aqueous fruit extract of Morinda citrifolia in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

The use of herbal products and/or their derivatives as an alternative or complementary medicine becomes globally popular. To date, various biological activities have been reported in Morinda citrifolia Linn, especially antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. This study aimed to investigate the genotoxicity and DNA repair capacity of the aqueous fruit extract of M. citrifolia (AEMC). Additionally, we checked the mutagenic capacity of AEMC by the comet assay and micronucleus tests in rats. For this, rats (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females) were divided into five groups as: negative control (distilled water); positive control (25 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide, i.p.); and three groups for AEMC (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.). The results suggest that, the AEMC induced genotoxicity in white blood cells, but a DNA repair capacity was also observed after 72 h of AEMC exposure. AEMC also showed cytotoxicity and mutagenicity in liver and kidney cells of rats at 5 and 10 mg/kg doses. In conclusion, AEMC exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity along with a time-dependent DNA repair capacity in rats. Further studies are necessary regarding the safe use of this medicinal plant for human consumption.