Inhibition by the Bioflavonoid Ternatin of Aflatoxin B1-induced Lipid Peroxidation in Rat Liver

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1, a metabolite of Aspergillus flavus is a potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin. Lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage are the principal manifestations of aflatoxin B1-induced toxicity which could be mitigated by antioxidants. Many plant constituents, e.g. flavonoids, lignans and spice principles (capsaicin, curcumin, eugenol, etc.) have been reported to prevent liver damage associated with lipid peroxidation. In this study we investigated ternatin, a tetramethoxyflavone isolated from Egletes viscosa, for possible protection against liver injury induced by aflatoxin B1 in rats. Seventy two hours after a single intraperitoneal dose of aflatoxin B1 (1 mg kg(-1)), the concentration of malondialdehyde, the product of lipid peroxidation in liver homogenates, and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly elevated (P<0.001). Subcutaneous ternatin (25 mg kg(-1)) pretreatment greatly reduced aflatoxin B1-induced increases in the levels of serum enzymes (ALT from 5071+/-763 to 293+/-66 international units L(-1) and AST from 4241+/-471 to 449+/-108 international units L(-1)) and elevated malondialdehyde levels (from 11.37+/-1.27 to 0.79+/-0.22 nmol (mg wet tissue)(-1)) in a manner similar to oral vitamin E (300 mg kg(-1)), a standard antioxidant. Further, histological changes induced by aflatoxin B1 such as hepatocellular necrosis and bile-duct proliferation were markedly inhibited in animals pretreated with ternatin or vitamin E. These data provide evidence that ternatin inhibits lipid peroxidation and affords protection against liver damage induced by aflatoxin B1. Ternatin might, therefore, be a suitable candidate for the chemoprevention of aflatoxicosis associated liver cancer.

Vitamin E (α tocopherol) attenuates toxicity and oxidative stress induced by aflatoxin in rats

“…24,25 Previous studies, using different animal species, indicated that AF induced changes in oxidative stress markers. 6,[26][27][28][29] This study was conducted to assess the effect of AF on oxidative stress signs in rat liver, heart and kidney tissues.…”

Boric acid: a potential chemoprotective agent against aflatoxin b1 toxicity in human blood

“…The antioxidant enzymes can be induced or inhibited in the blood cells exposed to different toxicants and these enzymes play a main role in the defence of mammalian blood (Prasad et al 2006). Souza et al (1999) reported that the oxidative stress is the principle manifestation of AFB 1 -induced toxicity which could be mitigated by antioxidants. Our previous study (Turkez et al 2007) and the current study well establish that BA alone does not lead to the induction of oxidative stress.…”

Gastroprotective Mechanisms of Centipedic Acid, a Natural Diterpene from Egletes viscosa LESS.

“…15,16) In a previous study, we established the gastroprotective effects of both CPA and tanabolin against indomethacin and ethanolinduced gastric lesions, validating the traditional use of E. viscosa.…”

“…14) Pharmacological investigations identified the anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiarrhoeal and gastroprotective properties of ternatin. 15,16) In a previous study, we established the gastroprotective effects of both CPA and tanabolin against indomethacin and ethanolinduced gastric lesions, validating the traditional use of E. viscosa. 17) However, the gastroprotective mechanisms were not elucidated.…”