Therapeutic ability of some plant extracts on aflatoxin B1 induced renal and cardiac damage

Aflatoxin B1 induces infertility, fetal deformities, and potential therapies

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a subsidiary poisonous metabolite, archetypally spawned by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, which are often isolated in warm or tropical countries across the world. AFB1 is capable of disrupting the functioning of several reproductive endocrine glands by interrupting the enzymes and their substrates that are liable for the synthesis of various hormones in both males and females. In men, AFB1 is capable of hindering testicular development, testicular degeneration, and reduces reproductive capabilities. In women, a direct antagonistic interaction of AFB1 with steroid hormone receptors influencing gonadal hormone production of estrogen and progesterone was responsible for AFB1-associated infertility. AFB1 is potentially teratogenic and is responsible for the development of malformation in humans and animals. Soft-tissue anomalies such as internal hydrocephalus, microphthalmia, cardiac defects, augmented liver lobes, reproductive changes, immune modifications, behavioral changes and predisposition of animals and humans to neoplasm development are AFB1-associated anomalies. Substances such as esculin, selenium, gynandra extract, vitamins C and E, oltipraz, and CDDO-Im are potential therapies for AFB1. Thus, this review elucidates the pivotal pathogenic roles of AFB1 in infertility, fetal deformities, and potential therapies because AFB1 toxicity is a key problem globally.

Effects of Aflatoxins and Fumonisins, Alone or in Combination, on Performance, Health, and Safety of Food Products of Broiler Chickens, and Mitigation Efficacy of Bentonite and Fumonisin Esterase

The current study evaluated the effects of feeding diets contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisins (FBs), or both on the performance and health of broiler chickens and the safety of their food products as well as the efficacy of bentonite and fumonisin esterase to mitigate the effects of these mycotoxins under conditions representative for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Four hundred one-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 20 treatments with either a control diet, a diet with moderate AFB1 (60 μg/kg feed) or high AFB1 (220 μg/kg feed), or FBs (17,430 μg FB1+FB2/kg feed), alone or in combination, a diet containing AFB1 (either 60 or 220 μg/kg) and/or FBs (17,430 μg FB1+FB2/kg) and bentonite or fumonisin esterase or both, or a diet with bentonite or fumonisin esterase only. The experimental diets were given to the birds from day 1 to day 35 of age, and the effects of the different treatments on production performance were assessed by feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Possible health effects were evaluated through blood biochemistry, organ weights, mortality, liver gross pathological changes, and vaccine response. Residues of aflatoxins (AFB1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2) were determined in plasma, muscle, and liver tissues using validated UHPLC-MS/MS methods. The results obtained indicated that broiler chickens fed high AFB1 alone had poor FCR when compared to a diet with both high AFB1 and FBs (p = 0.0063). Serum total protein and albumin from birds fed FBs only or in combination with moderate or high AFB1 or detoxifiers increased when compared to the control (p < 0.05). Liver gross pathological changes were more pronounced in birds fed contaminated diets when compared to birds fed the control or diets supplemented with mycotoxin detoxifiers. The relative weight of the heart was significantly higher in birds fed high AFB1 and FBs when compared to the control or high AFB1 only diets (p < 0.05), indicating interactions between the mycotoxins. Inclusion of bentonite in AFB1-contaminated diets offered a protective effect on the change in weights of the liver, heart and spleen (p < 0.05). Residues of AFB1 were detected above the limit of quantification (max: 0.12 ± 0.03 μg/kg) in liver samples only, from birds fed a diet with high AFB1 only or with FBs or the detoxifiers. Supplementing bentonite into these AFB1-contaminated diets reduced the levels of the liver AFB1 residues by up to 50%. Bentonite or fumonisin esterase, alone, did not affect the performance and health of broiler chickens. Thus, at the doses tested, both detoxifiers were safe and efficient for use as valid means of counteracting the negative effects of AFB1 and FBs as well as transfer of AFB1 to food products (liver) of broiler chickens.

Therapeutic Potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. in Attenuating Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a broad spectrum of diseases afflicting the heart and blood vessels and remain a major cause of death and disability worldwide. CVD progression is strongly associated with risk factors, including hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis. These risk factors lead to oxidative damage that results in various cardiovascular complications including endothelial dysfunctions, alterations in vascular integrity, the formation of atherosclerosis, as well as incorrigible cardiac remodeling. The use of conventional pharmacological therapy is one of the current preventive measures to control the development of CVDs. However, as undesirable side effects from drug use have become a recent issue, alternative treatment from natural products is being sought in medicinal plants and is gaining interest. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) has been reported to contain various bioactive compounds that exert anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-hypertension, antioxidative, anti-inflammation, and anti-fibrosis effects. These properties of roselle, especially from its calyx, have relevance to its therapeutic and cardiovascular protection effects in humans. This review summarizes the findings of recent preclinical and clinical studies on roselle as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent in attenuating cardiovascular risk factors and associated mechanisms.

Subchronic toxicological evaluation of EnXtra™ (standardised extract of Alpinia galanga rhizome) in rats

OBJECTIVES

Alpinia galanga is a commonly used ingredient in Asian food and traditional medicine. But an extract of the rhizome had never been used commercially in food supplements and functional foods. There is some evidence of safety and tolerability in humans for a proprietary A. galanga rhizome extract (EnXtra™) and it is Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) in the US already. However, this botanical ingredient has not been evaluated for its subchronic toxicity in rats to confirm its safety in wider food applications.

METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats were orally administered the test item for 90 days by following OECD (Test Guideline: 408), with a recovery period of 28 days. Cumulative effects and No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) were estimated. EnXtra™ was administered orally at 0, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 mg kg^-1 body weight (b. wt.) with additional vehicle and high dose recovery groups. Observations included clinical signs, haematology, clinical chemistry, gross pathology and histopathology.

RESULTS

On terminal sacrifice, no treatment-related adverse effects were observed viz., clinical signs, mortality, body weight changes and feed consumption parameters. Haematology, clinical biochemistry and thyroid hormone levels were within the normal range. Further, no treatment-related gross and microscopic pathological lesions were observed across the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the toxicological evaluation, NOAEL of A. galanga rhizome extract (AGRE) was fixed at 3,000 mg kg^-1 b. wt. per day and ADI of 1800 mg day^-1 in the case of humans.

Ethnobotanical, pharmacological, phytochemical, and clinical investigations on Moroccan medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of renal dysfunctions

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Renal disease is a significant public health concern that affects people all over the world. The main limitations of conventional therapy are the adverse reaction on human health and the expensive cost of drugs. Indeed, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic strategies that are less expensive and have fewer side effects. As a consequence of their natural compounds, medicinal plants can be used as an alternative therapy to cure various ailments including kidney diseases.

OBJECTIVE

of the study: This review paper has two principal goals: (1) to inventory and describe the plants and their ancestral use by Moroccan society to cure renal problems, (2) to link traditional use with scientific confirmations (preclinical and clinical).

METHODS

To analyze pharmacological effects, phytochemical, and clinical trials of plants, selected for renal therapy, a bibliographical search was undertaken by examining ethnobotanical investigations conducted in Morocco between 1991 and 2019 and consulting peer-reviewed papers from all over the world.

RESULTS

Approximately 290 plant species, spanning 81 families and 218 genera have been reported as being utilized by Moroccans to manage renal illness. The most frequently mentioned species in Morocco were Herniaria hirsuta subsp. cinerea (DC.), Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss and Rosmarinus officinalis L. The leaves were the most frequently used plant parts, followed by the whole plant. Decoction and infusion were the most popular methods of preparation. A record of 71 plant species was studied in vitro and/or in vivo for their therapeutic efficacy against kidney disorders, including 10 plants attempting to make it to the clinical stage. Twenty compounds obtained from 15 plants have been studied for the treatment of kidney diseases.

CONCLUSION

Medicinal herbs could be a credible alternative therapy for renal illness. However, additional controlled trials are required to confirm their efficiency in patients with kidney failure. Overall, this work could be used as a database for future exploration.

The teratogenic effect of pregabalin on heart, liver and kidney in rats: a light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study

BACKGROUND

Pregabalin (PGB) was approved as new anti-epileptic drugs with little information about its teratogenic effect.

AIM OF THE WORK

to evaluate the developmental toxicity of PGB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

60 pregnant albino rats were divided into three groups. PGB (500 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to group II, PGB (1250 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to Group III and no medications were given to group I. The pups were normally delivered. Liver, kidney and heart specimens were prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies.

RESULTS

A dose of 500 mg of PGB had minimal toxic effects in the form of mild collagen deposition and moderate positive caspase-3 immunoexpression. PGB dose of 1250 mg/kg induced gross toxic effects in form of degenerated cardiac myofibres, ruptured blood vessels, vacuolations in the renal cortex, fibrosis and strong positive caspase-3 immunoexpression.

CONCLUSION

PGB at dose of 500 mg/kg revealed minimal toxic changes. PGB cause embryotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, as the higher dose induced more degenerative changes.

In vivo effects of aflatoxin B1 and benzo[a]pyrene on the heart muscle of chicken embryos

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on the heart muscle of chicken embryos of the broiler line Ross 308. The benzo[a]pyrene in the organic oil solution was injected in ovo on the 6th day of the incubation in doses of: 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg weight of eggs; the aflatoxin B1 in the organic oil solution was injected in ovo on the 6th day of the incubation into the yolk in doses of 80, 120 and 240 ng/kg weight of eggs. Multiple biochemical and hepatic parameters have been observed, including sodium, potassium, chloride, cholesterol, uric acid, total proteins, aminotransferase aspartate, and aminotransferase alanine. A low dose of AFB1 and BaP administered in ovo during early embryonic development had a significant impact on chicken embryonic development, as demonstrated by alterations in biochemical, mineral, and hepatic parameters.

Black tea and curcumin synergistically mitigate the hepatotoxicity and nephropathic changes induced by chronic exposure to aflatoxin-B1 in Sprague-Dawley rats

The study aimed to clarify the characteristics of black tea (BTE) and/or curcumin (CMN) against aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1). Forty eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups. G1 was non-treated control. G2, G3, and G4 were olive oil, BTE, and CMN, respectively. G5 was olive oil-dissolved AFB1 (25 µg/kg b.w). G6, G7, and G8 were AFB1 along with BTE (2%), CMN (200 mg/kg b.w.), and BTE plus CMN, respectively. All treatments were orally given for consecutive 90 days. After treatment period, rats were sacrificed. Serobiochemical analysis and histopathology showed hepatorenal dysfunction in response to AFB1. Glutathione-antioxidants were significantly decreased versus increased lipid peroxides (p < .05-.001). AFB1 significantly increased the expression of the antitumor p53, but decreased that of antiapoptotic Bcl2 in liver or kidney tissue, either (p < .05). BTE or CMN ameliorated those changes induced by AFB1 in both liver and kidney with highly pronounced improvement when combined BTE/CMN was used. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Black tea (BTE) and curcumin (CMN) were known for their antioxidant effects, and several studies reported their independent effects against different toxicities including aflatoxicosis. The current study clarifies the ameliorative characteristics of both agents; BTE and/or CMN, against the toxicity resulted from the chronic exposure to aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1) (25 µg/kg b.w. for consecutive 90 days). The dose of either agents, BTE or CMN, was 200 mg/kg b.w. along with AFB1. The pathologic changes, serobiochemical parameters, oxidative stress, histological changes, and the molecular disruption, induced by AFB1 in both liver and kidney were obviously and significantly ameliorated after BTE and/or CMN treatments in variable potencies where both agents showed the most effective antitoxic capacities.

Oxidative Stress in Extrahepatic Tissues of Rats Co-Exposed to Aflatoxin B1 and Low Protein Diet

Early life exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and low protein diet through complementary foods during weaning is common in parts of Africa and Asia. This study evaluated the effect of co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet on the extrahepatic tissues of rats. Twenty-four three-week old weanling male albino rats were used for this study and were randomly assigned into four groups: group 1 served as control and was fed normal protein diet (20% protein), group 2 was fed low protein diet (5% protein), group 3 was fed normal protein diet + 40 ppb AFB1 while group 4 received low protein diet + 40 ppb AFB1, all for eight weeks. Afterward, biomarkers of anemia (packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin) and kidney function (urea, uric acid, and creatinine) were determined in the blood while biomarkers of oxidative stress were determined in the tissues spectrophotometrically. Co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet significantly (p < 0.05) decreased body weight gain and PCV, increased biomarkers of kidney functions and induced oxidative stress in the tissues studied. There was significant (p < 0.05) reduction in glutathione concentration while TBARS was significantly increased in the tissues. Co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet had additive effects on decreasing the weight gain and potentiation effect of kidney dysfunction in the rats. The co-exposure also decreased antioxidant enzymes and increased oxidant status in the tissues. Our results demonstrate that this co-exposure has deleterious health effects on extrahepatic tissues and should be a public health concern especially in developing countries where AFB1 contamination is common.

Socioeconomic Characteristics Influencing Level of Awareness of Aflatoxin Contamination of Feeds among Livestock Farmers in Meru District of Tanzania

Aflatoxins occurrence in feeds challenges human and animal health. Farmers' awareness status of these toxins has an effect on their level of exposure. The study assessed the influence of socioeconomic characteristics of farmers on their awareness of aflatoxin contamination of feeds. Data were collected from 258 households and analysed by SPSS program for descriptive statistics and association between socioeconomic characteristics and awareness of aflatoxin contamination of feeds. Over seventy percent of the farmers had never heard about aflatoxins. Education level, specialization, and period of keeping animals had significant influence on aflatoxin awareness. Hearing about aflatoxins was six times higher among farmers who studied life or social sciences than those without specialization and those who studied other fields. Awareness that aflatoxins may occur in feeds was twice higher among farmers with higher education than those with lower education. Perception that aflatoxins in feeds are detoxifiable was threefold higher among young people (with ≤10-year period of keeping animals) than among older ones. Awareness of aflatoxins was particularly low among farmers with low education and those without exposure to life or social sciences and vice versa. Sensitization is recommended to raise farmers' awareness on aflatoxin contamination of feeds and incorporating aflatoxin knowledge in school curricula.

Protective effects of curcumin against aflatoxicosis: A comprehensive review

Aflatoxicosis is a deleterious medical condition that results from aflatoxins (AFs) or ochratoxins (OTs). Contamination with these toxins exerts detrimental effects on the liver, kidneys, reproductive organs, and also on immunological and cardiovascular systems. Aflatoxicosis is closely associated with overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as key contributors to oxidative and nitrosative stress responses, and subsequent damages to lipids, proteins, RNA, and DNA. The main target organ for AF toxicity is the liver, where DNA adducts, degranulation of endoplasmic reticulum, increased hepatic lipid peroxide, GSH depletion, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reduction of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants are manifestations of aflatoxicosis. Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) is a medicinal plant widely utilized all over the world for culinary and phytomedical purposes. Considering the antioxidant characteristic of curcumin, the main active component of turmeric, this review is intended to critically summarize the available evidence supporting possible effectiveness of curcumin against aflatoxicosis. Curcumin can serve as a promising candidate for attenuation of the adverse consequences of aflatoxicosis, acting mainly through intrinsic antioxidant effects aroused from its structure, modulation of the immune system as reflected by interleukin-1β and transforming growth factor-β, and interfering with AF's biotransformation by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP1A, CYP3A, CYP2A, CYP2B, and CYP2C.

Aflatoxin B1-induced epigenetic alterations: An overview

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is widely distributed in nature, especially in a variety of food commodities. It is confirmed to be the most toxic of all the aflatoxins. The toxicity of AFB1 has been well investigated, and it may result in severe health problems including carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, growth retardation, and immune suppression. Epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation, histone modifications and regulation of non-coding RNA play an important role in AFB1-induced disease and carcinogenesis. To better understand the evidence for AFB1-induced epigenetic alterations and the potential mechanisms of the toxicity of AFB1, we conducted a review of published studies of AFB1-induced epigenetic alterations.

Changes in serum cytokine levels, hepatic and intestinal morphology in aflatoxin B1-induced injury: modulatory roles of melatonin and flavonoid-rich fractions from Chromolena odorata

Aflatoxins are known to produce chronic carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects, as well as acute inflammatory effects, especially in the gastrointestinal tract. The potentials of the flavonoid-rich extract from Chromolena odorata (FCO) and melatonin (a standard anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent) against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced alterations in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and morphology of liver and small intestines were evaluated in this study. We utilized Wistar albino rats (200-230 g) randomly divided into five groups made up of group A, control rats; group B, rats given AFB1 (2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) twice on days 5 and 7; rats in groups C, D, and E were treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) or oral doses of FCO1 (50 mg/kg) and FCO2 (100 mg/kg) for 7 days, respectively, along with AFB1 injection on days 5 and 7. Serum levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were determined using commercial ELISA kits and histopathological evaluation of the liver, duodenum, and ileum were also carried out. We observed significant elevation (p < 0.05) in serum IL-1β correlating with hemorrhages and leucocytic and lymphocytic infiltration in the liver and intestines as evidences of an acute inflammatory response to AFB1 administration. All treatments yielded significant reduction (p < 0.05) in IL-1β levels, although TNF-α levels were not significantly altered in all rats that received AFB1, irrespective of the treatments. Melatonin and FCO2 produced considerable protection of hepatic tissues, although melatonin was not quite effective in protecting the intestinal lesions. Our findings suggest a modulation of cytokine expression that may, in part, be responsible for the abilities of C. odorata or melatonin in amelioration of hepatic and intestinal lesions associated with aflatoxin B1 injury.

Oxidative Role of Aflatoxin B1 on the Liver of Wheat Milling Workers

Aim: The study aimed to estimate oxidative role of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the liver in wheat milling workers. Materials and Methods: Case-control study was conducted to compare between the levels of AFB1/albumin (AFB1/alb), liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP), P53, MDA, GST, SOD, zinc and vitamin C in 35 wheat milling workers and 40 control subjects. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, P53, MDA, GST and SOD in workers were significantly elevated compared to their controls. In the milling workers, there were significant correlations between MDA levels and the levels of AST, GGT, and P53, while, P53 was inversely correlated with GST and SOD activities. There were significant correlations between Zn levels and GGT, GST and SOD activities, between vitamin C and GST activities, and vitamin C inversely correlated with MDA. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the oxidative stress of AFB1 elevated the MDA and the liver enzymes in wheat milling workers. GST has a crucial role in the detoxification of aflatoxin and SOD as a scavenger antioxidant increased in the workers to overcome the oxidative toxic effects of AFB1 on the liver of the workers, and roles of Zn and vitamin C were significant in activation of these processes.

Prevention of cardiotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 via dietary supplementation of papaya fruit extracts in rats

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the cardioprotective ability of water (WE) and ethanolic (EE) papaya fruits extracts against cardiotoxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in rats. Forty two female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six treatment groups and treated orally for 2 weeks as follow: control group, the group treated with WE (250 mg/kg b.w), the group treated with EE (250 mg/kg b.w), the group treated orally with AFB1 (17 μg/kg b.w) and the groups treated orally with AFB1 plus WE or EE. The results indicated that treatment with AFB1 resulted in oxidative stress in the heart manifested by the marked increase in cardiac malondialdehyde and calcium levels accompanied with a significant decrease in cardiac total antioxidant capacity. Serum nitric oxide and sodium levels, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase isoenzyme activities were significantly increased, whereas, cardiac Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and serum potassium were insignificantly affected. Supplementation with WE or EE effectively ameliorated most of the changes induced by AFB1. It could be concluded that both extracts attenuated the oxidative stress induced in heart tissue by AFB1 and WE was more pronounced due to the higher total phenolic contents than in the EE.