Secondary metabolites from Bacillus sp. MERNA97 extract attenuates the oxidative stress, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 in rats

Screening of bioactive components in Ferula assafo dried oleo-gum resin and assessment of its protective function against cadmium-induced oxidative damage, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity in rats

Cadmium (Cd) is among the most ecologically harmful heavy metals. The purpose of this work was to identify the biologically active components in dried oleo-resin-gum of Ferula assafo extract (FAE) and assess their preventive efficacy against oxidative damage caused by Cd in rats. The biologically active components were identified using HPLC and GC-MS. Six groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned and received oral treatment for two weeks. They consisted of the control group, the groups that got FAE at low or high doses (150 and 250 mg/kg b.w.), the group that received CdCl2 (2 mg/kg b.w.), and the groups that received CdCl2 + FAE at the low or high dose. Tissues and blood samples were collected for different assays and pathological examinations. The HPLC detected 11 polyphenol compounds, whereas the GC-MS identified 24 bioactive compounds. The in vivo study revealed that CdCl2 alone disrupted all biochemical indices, oxidative indicators, cytokines, antioxidant enzymes, pro and anti-apoptotic mRNA gene expression, increased DNA fragmentation percentage, and caused pathological alterations in hepatic and renal sections. FAE plus CdCl2 therapy considerably improved all indicators and the histological architecture of the kidney and liver, with the higher dose being more effective in improving all of the measured parameters. Therefore, FAE is a promising option for food and pharmaceutical applications to protect against oxidative damage caused by Cd exposure.

Therapeutic Role of Secondary Metabolites from Probiotic Strains for Ehrlich Solid Tumors in Mice

This study aimed to screen the bioactive components in Streptococcus equinus WC1 (SE-WC1) and Limosilactobacillus reuteri GM4 (LR-GM4) and estimate the therapeutic role in Ehrlich solid tumors (EST) mice model. Forty-four male albino EST mice were assigned into 7 groups and treated daily for 2 weeks, including the EST group, the EST mice that received SE-WC1 at a low or a high dose (0.5 ml *106 or 0.5 ml *108 cfu), the EST mice that received LR-GM4 at the low or the high dose (0.5 ml *106 or 0.5 ml *108 cfu), and the EST mice that received SE-WC1 plus LR-GM4 at the low or the high dose. Tumors were harvested, weighed, examined, and used for the determination of apoptosis-related gene expression. Samples of the intestine, liver, and kidney were gathered for histological examination. The GC-MS identified 24 and 36 bioactive compounds in SE-WC1 and LR-GM4, respectively. The main compound in SE-WC1 was lupeol; however, the main compound in LR-GM4 was retinaldehyde. EST mice showed disturbances in Bcl-2, Bax, and p53 mRNA expression along with histological changes in the intestine, liver, and kidney. Administration of both bacterial strains reduced the tumor weight, alleviated the disturbances in the gene expression, and improved the histological structure of the intestine, liver, and kidney in a dose-dependent. Moreover, LR-GM4 was more effective than SE-WC1 due to its higher content of bioactive compounds. It could be concluded that these strains of probiotics are promising for the treatment of solid tumors.

The effects of probiotic-based additives on aflatoxin intoxication in Piaractus mesopotamicus: a study of liver histology and metabolic performance

Mycotoxins, produced by fungi, can contaminate fish food and harm their health. Probiotics enhance immune balance and primarily function in the animal intestine. This study aimed to assess aflatoxin's impact on Piaractus mesopotamicus and explore probiotic-based additive (PBA) benefits in mitigating these effects, focusing on antioxidant activity, biochemical indices, and hepatic histopathology. Two experiments were conducted using P. mesopotamicus fry. The first experimental assay tested various levels of aflatoxin B1 (0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100.0, 200.0, and 400.0 µg kg-1) over a 10-day period. The second experimental assay examined the efficacy of the probiotic (supplemented at 0.20%) in diets with different levels of aflatoxin B1 (0.0, 25.0, and 400.0 µg kg-1) for 15 days. At the end of each assay, the fish underwent a 24-hour fasting period, and the survival rate was recorded. Six liver specimens from each treatment group were randomly selected for metabolic indicator assays, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and albumin. Additionally, histopathological analysis was performed on six specimens. The initial study discovered that inclusion rates above 25.0 µg kg-1 resulted in decreased activity of AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ALB (albumin), CAT (catalase), and SOD (superoxide dismutase), accompanied by liver histopathological lesions. In the second study, the inclusion of PBA in diets contaminated with AFB1 improved the activity of AST and ALT up to 25.0 µg kg-1 of AFB1, with no histopathological lesions observed. The study demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of PBA in diets contaminated with AFB1. The enzyme activity and hepatic histopathology were maintained, indicating a reduction in damage caused by high concentrations of AFB1 (400.0 µg kg-1 of AFB1). The adverse effects of AFB1 on biochemical and histopathological parameters were observed from 25.0 µg kg-1 onwards. Notably, PBA supplementation enhanced enzymatic activity at a concentration of 25 µg kg-1 of AFB1 and mitigated the effects at 400.0 µg kg-1 of AFB1. The use of PBAs in pacu diets is highly recommended as they effectively neutralize the toxic effects of AFB1 when added to diets containing 25.0 µg kg-1 AFB1. Dietary inclusion of aflatoxin B1 at a concentration of 25.0 µg kg-1 adversely affects the liver of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Pacu). However, the addition of a probiotic-based additive (PBA) to the diets containing this concentration of aflatoxin neutralized its toxic effects. Therefore, the study recommends the use of PBAs in Pacu diets to mitigate the adverse effects of aflatoxin contamination.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of AFB1 and OTA toxic effects and the beneficial role of bioactive compounds. A systematic review

The purpose of this review was to investigate the current knowledge about aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) toxicity and the possible beneficial role of bioactive compounds by using in vitro and in vivo models. Although AFB1 and OTA were tested in a similar percentage, the majority of studies focused on nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, immune toxicity and neurotoxicity in which oxidative stress, inflammation, structural damage and apoptosis were the main mechanisms of action reported. Conversely, several biological compounds were assayed in order to modulate mycotoxins damage mainly in the liver, brain, kidney and immune system. Among them, pumpkin, curcumin and fermented whey were the most employed. Although a clear progress has been made by using in vivo models, further research is needed to assess not only the toxicity of multiple mycotoxins contamination but also the effect of functional compounds mixture, thereby reproducing more realistic situations for human health risk assessment.

Antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, and cytotoxic properties of bioactive secondary metabolites derived from Bacillus species

Aflatoxins (AFs) are hazardous carcinogens and mutagens produced by some molds, particularly Aspergillus spp. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to isolate and identify endophytic bacteria, extract and characterize their bioactive metabolites, and evaluate their antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, and cytotoxic efficacy against brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). Among the 36 bacterial strains isolated, ten bacterial isolates showed high antifungal activity, and thus were identified using biochemical parameters and MALDI-TOF MS. Bioactive metabolites were extracted from two bacterial isolates, and studied for their antifungal activity. The bioactive metabolites (No. 4, and 5) extracted from Bacillus cereus DSM 31T DSM, exhibited strong antifungal capabilities, and generated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyphenols. The major VOCs were butanoic acid, 2-methyl, and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) in extracts No. 4, and 5 respectively. Cinnamic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were the most abundant phenolic acids in extracts No. 4, and 5 respectively. These bioactive metabolites had antifungal efficiency against A. flavus and caused morphological alterations in fungal conidiophores and conidiospores. Data also indicated that both extracts No. 4, and 5 reduced AFB1 production by 99.98%. On assessing the toxicity of bioactive metabolites on A. salina the IC50 recorded 275 and 300 µg/mL, for extracts No. 4, and 5 respectively. Meanwhile, the effect of these extracts on HepG2 revealed that the IC50 of extract No. 5 recorded 79.4 µg/mL, whereas No. 4 showed no cytotoxic activity. It could be concluded that bioactive metabolites derived from Bacillus species showed antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic activities, indicating their potential use in food safety.

Screening of the phytochemical constituents of Teucrium polium extract and evaluation of their prophylactic role against the oxidative damage and cytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in rats

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is common carcinogen causing acute and chronic hepatocyte injuries. This study aimed to determine the bioactive components of Teucrium polium methanolic extract (TPE) and to evaluate their protective role against AFB1-induced oxidative damage, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in rats. Six groups of male albino rats were treated orally for 4 weeks including the control group, the ِAFB1-treated group (80 μg/kg b.w.), the groups treated with low (LD) or high (HD) dose TPE (50 or 100 mg/kg b.w.), and the groups treated with AFB1 plus TEP (LD) or TPE (HD). Blood and serum samples were collected for different assays. The GC-MS identified 34 compounds, the major compounds were pinene, germacrene D, α-cadinol, α-thujene, epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene, and limonene. Animals that received AFB1 showed significant changes in all indicators of oxidative stress, biochemistry, cytokines, MNPCEs, comet tail formation in bone marrow, mRNA expression of inflammatory-related genes, Nrf2, and iNOS beside histological changes in the liver. TPE at the two doses tested showed insignificant changes in all tested parameters. The extract could normalize most of these parameters and the hepatic structure in AFB1-treated animals in a dose-dependent fashion. therefore, we concluded that TPE supplementation is effective for protection against AFB1 in endemic areas.

Improvement of the antioxidant activity of thyme essential oil against biosynthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disturbances in gene expression in vivo

BACKGROUND

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) are widely utilized in medicine and industry; however, their safety in biological organisms is still unclear. In this study, we determined the bioactive constitutes of thyme essential oil (TEO) and utilized the nanoemulsion technique to improve its protective efficiency against oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and DNA damage of biosynthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs).

METHODS

TEO nanoemulsion (TEON) was prepared using whey protein isolate (WPI). Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups and treated orally for 21 days including the control group, TEO, or TEON- treated groups (5 mg/kg b.w), TiO₂-NPs-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w) and the groups received TiO₂-NPs plus TEO or TEON. Blood and tissues samples were collected for different assays.

RESULTS

The GC-MS analysis identified 17 bioactive compounds in TEO and thymol and carvacrol were the major compounds. TEON was irregular with average particles size of 230 ± 3.7 nm and ζ-potential of -24.17 mV. However, TiO2-NPs showed a polygonal shape with an average size of 50 ± 2.4 nm and ζ-potential of -30.44 mV. Animals that received TiO2-NPs showed severe disturbances in liver and kidney indices, lipid profile, oxidant/antioxidant indices, inflammatory cytokines, gene expressions, increased DNA damage, and pathological changes in hepatic tissue. Both TEO and TEON showed potential protection against these hazards and TEON was more effective than TEO.

CONCLUSION

The nanoemulsion of TEO enhances the oil bioactivity, improves its antioxidant characteristics, and protects against oxidative damage and genotoxicity of TiO2-NPs.

Synthesis of encapsulated fish oil using whey protein isolate to prevent the oxidative damage and cytotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in rats

Fish oil exhibited several beneficial effects on human health; however, its applications face several challenges such as its effects on the organoleptic properties of food and its susceptibility to oxidation. Titanium dioxide NPs (TiO₂-NPs) are utilized widely in pharmaceutical and food applications although there are some reports about their oxidative damage to living organisms. The current work was undertaken to identify fatty acids content in mullet fish oil, encapsulation, and characterization of the oil, and to assess the protective efficiency of the encapsulated mullet fish oil (EMFO) against the oxidative damage and genotoxicity of TiO₂-NPs in rats. Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed to 6 groups and treated for 21 days included the control group; TiO₂-NPs-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w); the groups treated with EMFO (50 or 100 mg/kg b.w) and the groups received TiO₂-NPs plus EMFO at the low or high dose. Samples of blood, liver, and kidney were taken for different assays and histological studies. The GC-FID analysis showed that a total of 14 different fatty acids were found in Mullet fish oil included 41.4% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), 31.1% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and 25.1% saturated fatty acids (SFAs). The structure of EMFO was spherical with an average diameter of 234.5 nm and a zeta potential of -6.24 mV and was stable up to 10 days at 25 °C with EE of 81.08%. The PV of EMFO was decreased at 5 days then increased at 15 days; however, TBARS was increased throughout the storage time over 15 days. The biological evaluation showed that TiO₂-NPs disturb the hepato-nephro functions, lipid profile, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes activity, and their corresponding gene expression along with severe pathological alterations in both hepatic and renal tissue. Co-administration of EMFO induced a strong antioxidant role, and the high level could normalize the majority of the parameters tested and the histological picture of the hepatic and renal tissues. These results pointed out that the encapsulation technology enhances the protective role of EMFO against oxidative stress and genotoxicity of TiO₂-NPs through the prevention of ω-3 PUFAs oxidation and controlling their release.

Bioactive phytochemicals from Salvia officinalis attenuate cadmium-induced oxidative damage and genotoxicity in rats

This study was conducted to identify the bioactive phytochemicals in Salvia officinalis essential oil, to determine the polyphenols in the aqueous extract (SOE), and to evaluate their protective role against cadmium (Cd)-induced oxidative damage and genotoxicity in rats. Six groups of female rats were treated orally for 2 weeks including the control group, CdCl₂-treated group, SOE-treated groups at low or high dose (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w), and CdCl₂ plus SOE-treated groups at the two doses. The GC-MS analysis identified 39 compounds; the main compounds were 9-octadecenamide, eucalyptol, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. However, the HPLC analysis showed 12 polyphenolic compounds and the majority were coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, coffeic acid, catechin, vanillin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and rutin. In the biological study, rats received CdCl₂ displayed severe disturbances in liver and kidney indices alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (Alb), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (T. Bil), direct bilirubin (D. Bil), creatinine, uric acid, and urea, lipid profile, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and CEA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), gene expressions, DNA fragmentation, and histological alterations in the liver and kidney tissue. SOE showed a potent antioxidant and mitigated these alterations in serum and tissue. Moreover, the high dose succeeded to normalize most of the tested parameters and histological features. It could be concluded that S. officinalis is a promising source for bioactive compounds with therapeutic benefits against environmental toxicants.

Elimination of oxidative stress and genotoxicity of biosynthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles in rats via supplementation with whey protein-coated thyme essential oil

The green synthesis of metal nanoparticles is growing dramatically; however, the toxicity of these biosynthesized particles against living organisms is not fully explored. Therefore, this study was designed to synthesize and characterize TiO₂-NPs, encapsulation and characterization thyme essential oil (ETEO), and determination of the bioactive constituents of ETEO using GC-MS and evaluate their protective role against TiO₂-NPs-induced oxidative damage and genotoxicity in rats. Six groups of rats were treated orally for 30 days including the control group, TiO₂-NPs (300 mg/kg b.w)-treated group, ETEO at low (50 mg/kg b.w) or high dose (100 mg/kg b.w)-treated groups, and TiO₂-NPs plus ETEO at the two doses-treated groups. Blood and tissues were collected for different assays. The GC-MS results indicated the presence of 21 compounds belonging to phenols, terpene derivatives, and heterocyclic compounds. The synthesized TiO₂-NPs were 45 nm tetragonal particles with a zeta potential of -27.34 mV; however, ETEO were 119 nm round particles with a zeta potential of -28.33 mV. TiO₂-NPs administration disturbs the liver and kidney markers, lipid profile, cytokines, oxidative stress parameters, the apoptotic and antioxidant hepatic mRNA expression, and induced histological alterations in the liver and kidney tissues. ETEO could improve all these parameters in a dose-dependent manner. It could be concluded that ETEO is a promising candidate for the protection against TiO₂-NPs and can be applied safely in food applications.

Hepatotoxicity of food-borne mycotoxins: molecular mechanism, anti-hepatotoxic medicines and target prediction

Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by fungi. The widespread contamination of food and feed by mycotoxins is a global food safety problem and a serious threat to people's health. Most food-borne mycotoxins have strong hepatotoxicity. However, no effective methods have been found to prevent or treat Mycotoxin- Induced Liver Injury (MILI) in clinical and animal husbandry. In this paper, the molecular mechanisms and potential anti-MILI medicines of six food-borne MILI are reviewed, and their targets are predicted by network toxicology, which provides a theoretical basis for further study of the toxicity mechanism of MILI and the development of effective strategies to manage MILI-related health problems in the future and accelerate the development of food safety.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 can alleviate liver apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin often found in food and livestock feed. It can affect human and animal health and is especially damaging to the liver. This study aims to evaluate whether Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (hereafter referred to as B. amyloliquefaciens) B10 can alleviate the toxic effects of AFB1 and, if so, what mechanism is responsible for its action. Specific pathogen-free (SPF) Kunming mice (5-6 weeks old) were divided into four groups (Control, AFB1, B10 strain, and AFB1 + B10 strain) and conducted continuously via gavage for 28 days. Oxidation indices (MDA, T-AOC, SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) were then measured using their liver tissues and liver coefficient were calculated. Apoptosis was determined using the TUNEL method. Gene expression was determined for Bax, Bcl-2, BIP, CHOP, JNK, Caspase-12, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3, and protein expression was detected for Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3. Our results showed that AFB1 induced the oxidative damage and apoptosis in the livers of mice. However, for mice given B. amyloliquefaciens B10, the biochemical indices, pathological changes, the expressions of genes and proteins related to oxidative stress and apoptosis were significantly reversed. The results indicate that B. amyloliquefaciens B10 antagonizes oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by AFB1 in the livers of mice. The results of this study are of significance for the future use of this strain to reduce the harm of AFB1 to human health and animal reproductive performance.