Testing the Nephroprotective Effectiveness of Cherry Fruit Extract (Muntingia calabura L.) on Histopathology and Inflammatory Markers in White Rats Induced by Gentamicin / Uji Efektivitas Nefroprotektif Ekstrak Buah Kersen (Muntingia calabura L.) Terhadap Histopatologi Dan Penanda Inflamasi Pada Tikus Putih Yang Diinduksi Gentamicin

Background: Kidney disease remains a major global health problem, one of which is associated with the use of nephrotoxic drugs such as gentamicin. Gentamicin induces renal damage through oxidative stress and inflammatory mechanisms. Muntingia calabura L. fruit contains bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic substances, which are believed to have nephroprotective properties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective effectiveness of Muntingia calabura fruit extract on renal histopathological changes and inflammatory markers in gentamicin-induced rats. Methods: This experimental laboratory study employed a post-test only control group design. A total of 25 male white rats were divided into five groups: negative control (0.5% CMC-Na), positive control (gentamicin 80 mg/kg BW), and three treatment groups receiving gentamicin 80 mg/kg BW combined with graded doses of Muntingia calabura fruit extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg BW) orally for 7 days. Renal histopathology was examined using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, while serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Administration of Muntingia calabura fruit extract significantly reduced IL-6 levels and improved renal histopathological features compared to the positive control group (p < 0.05). The nephroprotective effect increased in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest dose (200 mg/kg BW) showing renal conditions closest to normal. Conclusion: Muntingia calabura fruit extract has potential as a natural nephroprotective agent against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity through inhibition of inflammatory response as indicated by decreased IL-6 levels.

Latar Belakang: Penyakit ginjal masih menjadi masalah kesehatan global, salah satunya akibat penggunaan obat nefrotoksik seperti gentamisin. Gentamisin dapat menyebabkan kerusakan ginjal melalui mekanisme stres oksidatif dan inflamasi. Buah kersen (Muntingia calabura L.) mengandung senyawa bioaktif seperti flavonoid dan fenolik yang berpotensi memiliki efek nefroprotektif. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi efektivitas nefroprotektif ekstrak buah kersen terhadap perubahan histopatologi ginjal dan penanda inflamasi pada tikus putih yang diinduksi gentamisin. Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental laboratorium dengan desain post-test only control group. Sebanyak 25 ekor tikus putih jantan dibagi menjadi lima kelompok, yaitu kontrol negatif (CMC-Na 0,5%), kontrol positif (gentamisin 80 mg/kgBB), serta tiga kelompok perlakuan yang mendapat gentamisin 80 mg/kgBB dan ekstrak buah kersen dengan dosis bertingkat (50, 100, dan 200 mg/kgBB) secara oral selama 7 hari. Pemeriksaan histopatologi ginjal dilakukan menggunakan pewarnaan hematoksilin-eosin (HE), sedangkan kadar interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum diukur menggunakan metode enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hasil: Pemberian ekstrak buah kersen menurunkan kadar IL-6 secara signifikan dan memperbaiki gambaran histopatologi ginjal dibandingkan kelompok kontrol positif (p < 0,05). Efek nefroprotektif meningkat seiring dengan peningkatan dosis ekstrak, dengan dosis tertinggi (200 mg/kgBB) menunjukkan kondisi ginjal yang paling mendekati normal. Kesimpulan: Ekstrak buah kersen berpotensi sebagai agen nefroprotektif alami terhadap nefrotoksisitas akibat gentamisin melalui mekanisme penghambatan respons inflamasi yang ditandai dengan penurunan kadar IL-6.