Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has potent hepatotoxic and carcinogenic effects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the Chelidonium ethanolic extract (CEE) against the AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty-two male albino rats (5 months old) were grouped and treated intragastrically for 28 days as follows: 1) control: each rat was given 1.0 ml vehicle daily [Dimethyl sulfoxide –phosphate saline (DMSO-PBS) buffer containing 44 mg DMSO]; 2) animals received the CEE (300 mg/kg/day); 3) animals received AFB1 (80 μg/kg/day), and 4) animals received both AFB1 (80 μg/kg/day) and the CEE (300 mg/kg/day). The results declared that AFB1 intoxication induced significant increases in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)- cholesterol, creatinine, urea, inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), tumor markers (alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen), DNA fragmentation, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde coupled with a significant reduction in high density lipoprotein (LDL)- cholesterol, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione values, while the group that received the CEE alone showed insignificant changes in these parameters as compared with the control one. Interestingly, coadministration of the CEE besides AFB1 significantly prevented the above mentioned deteriorations; moreover, the histopathological examination of the liver in group four revealed a better ameliorative pattern by CEE treatment. In conclusion, the CEE exhibits a pronounced antioxidative activity, making it promising as a protective and immunomodulatory agent against aflatoxins’ health risks.
Key words: AFB1; Chelidonium majus; Oxidative Stress; Liver; Antioxidant
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