Serum inflammation and oxidative DNA damage amelioration in cocks-fed supplemental Vernonia amygdalina and zinc in aflatoxin B1 contaminated diets

Isolation, characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of compounds from the Vernonia amygdalina

The need to explore the abundance of natural products cannot be overemphasized particularly in the management of various disease conditions. In traditional medical practice, Vernonia amygdalina has been widely adopted in the management of various inflammatory disorders. The objective of this investigation was to isolate the bioactive principles from the stem-bark and root of V. amygdalina and assess the anti-inflammatory (in vitro) activity of both the crude extracts and the isolated compounds. Following extraction with the methanol, the extract was subjected to gravity column chromatography and the resultant fractions was further purified to obtained pure compounds. The structural elucidation of the compounds were based on data obtained from 1H to 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies as well as fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). Using diclofenac as a control drug, the albumin denaturation assay was used to determine the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts and isolates. Three distinct compounds characterized are vernoamyoside D, luteolin-7-α-o-glucuronide, and vernotolaside, a new glycoside. When compared to diclofenac, which has an IC50 of 167.8 μg/mL, luteolin-7-α-o-glucuronide, vernoamyoside D, and vernotolaside all showed significant inhibitions with respective IC50 values 549.8, 379.5, and 201.7 μg/mL. Vernotolaside is reported for the first time from the root. The assertion that the plant is used in traditional medicine for the management of inflammatory disorder is somewhat validated by the confirmation of the existence of the compounds with the biochemical actions. Further validation of the isolated compounds would be required in animal studies.

Dietary supplementation of Capsicum powder affects the growth, immunoglobulins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, meat, and liver histology of aflatoxin B1 exposed broiler chickens

The effects of dietary supplementation with Capsicum annuum fruit pericarp powder (CPP) and Capsicum annuum fruit seed powder (CSP) on the health and performance of broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was investigated. Four dietary groups were established: CON (control), AFT (0.5 mg/kg AFB1), CPAF (0.5 g/kg CPP and 0.5 mg/kg AFB1), and CSAF (0.5 g/kg CSP and 0.5 mg/kg AFB1). The AFT group shows a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the relative growth rate compared to CON, CPAF, and CSAF. In contrast, the latter two groups exhibit growth rates similar (P > 0.05) to CON. Additionally, immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, and IgA) in the AFT group are significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared to the other treatment groups. Serum interleukin-6 levels in the CPAF and CSAF groups were similar (P > 0.05) to CON but higher (P < 0.05) than in AFT. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were elevated (P < 0.05) in AFT compared to the other treatment groups. Interferon-gamma concentrations in AFT were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in the other treatment groups. The liver histology reveals that the AFT treatment group has periportal hepatic inflammation. In contrast, the CPAF and CSAF treatment groups exhibit normal hepatic microanatomy. In conclusion, 0.5 g/kg CPAF dietary supplementation may help to ameliorate the adverse effects of AFB1 exposure on broiler chicken health, specifically the growth, immune parameters and liver histology.

Red chili powder dietary supplementation regularized the performance, hematobiochemical indices, oxidative status, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine of aflatoxin B1 exposed broiler chickens

The effects of red chili powder dietary supplementation on the performance, hematobiochemical indices, oxidative status, and DNA damage in broiler chickens fed aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contaminated diets were studied. Two hundred and forty Cobb 500 breed day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed into control group (CONT), 0.5 mg/kg AFB1-exposed group (AFTB), 0.5 g/kg red chili pericarp powder supplementation alongside the 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 exposed group (RCPA), and 0.5 g/kg red chili seed powder supplementation alongside the 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 exposed group (RCSA). The red chili supplementation, in both pericarp powder and seed powder, positively influenced broiler performance by improving (P < 0.05) weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio, with a reduction in mortality rates compared to the AFTB group. Hematological indices showed that AFB1 exposure decreased (P < 0.05) the red blood cell count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, but the red chili supplementation mitigated these reductions. Additionally, total white blood cell counts were maintained (P > 0.05) in red chili-supplemented groups compared to CONT. Red chili supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the total protein and globulin concentrations and reduced (P < 0.05) liver enzyme levels compared to the AFTB group. The oxidative enzyme levels in RCPA and RCSA were similar (P > 0.05) to CONT groups. The red chili supplementations counteracted DNA damage, as reflected by similar (P > 0.05) 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels recorded in RCPA, RCSA, and CONT groups levels. These findings suggest that 0.5 g/kg red chili supplementation has the potential to ameliorate the adverse effects of AFB1 exposure on broiler chickens, improving their performance and health.