Boron exhibits hepatoprotective effect together with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic pathways in rats exposed to aflatoxin B1

Boric Acid and Borax Protect Human Lymphocytes from Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity Induced by 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol

3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a member of the group of pollutants known as chloropropanols and is considered a genotoxic carcinogen. Due to the occurrence of 3-MCPD, which cannot be avoided in multiplexed food processes, it is necessary to explore novel agents to reduce or prevent the toxicity of 3-MCPD. Many recent studies on boron compounds reveal their superior biological roles such as antioxidant, anticancer, and antigenotoxic properties. In the current investigation, we have evaluated in vitro cytotoxic, oxidative, and genotoxic damage potential of 3-MCPD on human whole blood cultures and the alleviating effect of boric acid (BA) and borax (BX) for 72 h. In our in vitro experiments, we have treated blood cells with BA and BX (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/L) and 3-MCPD (at IC50 of 11.12 mg/l) for 72 h to determine the cytotoxic damage potential by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Oxidative damage was assessed using total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Genotoxicity evaluations were performed using chromosome aberrations (CAs) and 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) assays. The result of our experiments showed that the 3-MCPD compound induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity in a clear concentration-dependent manner. BA and BX reduced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity induced by 3-MCPD. In conclusion, BA and BX are safe and non-genotoxic under the in vitro conditions and can alleviate cytotoxic, oxidative, and genetic damage induced by 3-MCPD in the human blood cells. Our findings suggest that dietary boron supplements may offer a novel strategy for mitigating hematotoxicity induced by xenobiotics, including 3-MCPD.

Trace elements and metal nanoparticles: mechanistic approaches to mitigating chemotherapy-induced toxicity-a review of literature evidence

Anticancer chemotherapy (ACT) remains a cornerstone in cancer treatment, despite significant advances in pharmacology over recent decades. However, its associated side effect toxicity continues to pose a major concern for both oncology clinicians and patients, significantly impacting treatment protocols and patient quality of life. Current clinical strategies to mitigate ACT-induced toxicity have proven largely unsatisfactory, leaving a critical unmet need to block toxicity mechanisms without diminishing ACT's therapeutic efficacy. This review aims to document the molecular mechanisms underlying ACT toxicity and highlight research efforts exploring the protective effects of trace elements (TEs) and their nanoparticles (NPs) against these mechanisms. Our literature review reveals that the primary driver of ACT toxicity is redox imbalance, which triggers oxidative inflammation, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and dysregulation of signaling pathways such as PI3K/mTOR/Akt. Studies suggest that TEs, including zinc, selenium, boron, manganese, and molybdenum, and their NPs, can potentially counteract ACT-induced toxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated pathways, including NF-κB/TLR4/MAPK/NLRP3, STAT-3/NLRP3, Bcl-2/Bid/p53/caspases, and LC3/Beclin-1/CHOP/ATG6, while also upregulating protective signaling pathways like Sirt1/PPAR-γ/PGC-1α/FOXO-3 and Nrf2/HO-1/ARE. However, evidence regarding the roles of lncRNA and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ACT toxicity remains inconsistent, and the impact of TEs and NPs on ACT efficacy is not fully understood. Further research is needed to confirm the protective effects of TEs and their NPs against ACT toxicity in cancer patients. In summary, TEs and their NPs present a promising avenue as adjuvant agents for preventing non-target organ toxicity induced by ACT.

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.

Dietary chamomile flowers extract improved performance and mitigated aflatoxin B1 toxicity in rabbits

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is among the poisonous mycotoxins that contaminate food and feed. Limited studies are available on the efficacy of chamomile (Cha) against oxidative stress, liver damage and pro-inflammatory response induced by AFB1. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of Cha on the performance and protective effects against AFB1 in growing rabbits. The experimental rabbits were divided into four different groups, including Cha (70 mg kg day-1), AFB1 (AF; 30 μg kg day-1), AFB1+Cha (AFLCha) and control (CON). The results indicated that the AFB1 treatment had lower values of performance, and carcass parameters compared to the Cha and AFLCha treatments. Furthermore, the Cha and AFLCha groups had lower values of liver and kidney function activities compared to the AFB1 treatment. The higher values of antioxidant enzymes were observed in Cha and AFLCha treatments than in the AFB1 treatment. AFB1 treatments had higher levels of malondialdehyde and liver functions with lower levels of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione and superoxide dismutase) compared to Cha and CON groups. In conclusion, dietary Cha could mitigate the oxidative stress of AFB1-induced liver deterioration.