Biochemical and antioxidant effects in crossbred calves fed with Morinda citrifolia

Abstract

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) is a medicinal plant widely distributed in the tropical regions of India, Indonesia and Malaysia and has a long history of treating a wide variety of diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetes. The present investigation was designed to evaluate blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant effects in calves fed with M. citrifolia. A total of eight calves were divided into two groups as control (n = 4) and treatment (n = 4). The calves of treatment group were fed with fresh minced raw fruit (100 g/calf/day) and the calves in control group were fed with placebo. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals for four weeks for estimation of biochemical parameters and to determine antioxidant activity. The crude extract of noni fruits significantly (P < .01) decreased the concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum glucose and also decreased (P < .05) serum creatinine and urea. There was a reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) than control; however, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels were dramatically increased (P < .01) in morinda-fed calves. The results of present preliminary study demonstrated hypolipidemic, hypoglycaemic and antioxidant effect of M. citrifolia in calves. The findings of this study could be exploited for stress amelioration and management of metabolic diseases in calves and cattle without adverse effects.