Protective efficacy of Nigella Sativa oil, Vitamin C and E against Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) induced Aflatoxicoses in neonatal Wister rats

Abstract

This study investigated the possible protective role of Nigella sativa oil (NSO), vitamin C, and E in one hundred and seventeen (117) aflatoxicoses induced neonatal wistar rats with Aflatoxin M1(AFM1), randomly divided into 13 groups of nine rats each (A-M) for 12 weeks. Group A served as control, while groups B, C, D, E received (9ng/l AFM1, 9ng/l AFM1 + Vit.C, +Vit.E, +NSO), groups F, G, H, I had (235 ng/l AFM1, 235 ng/l AFM1 + Vit.C, +Vit.E, +NSO) and groups J, K,L,M received (456ng/l AFM1, 456ng/l AFM1 + Vit.C, +Vit. E, + NSO). Rats were fasted overnight and anesthetized, cardiac blood was collected for the analysis of Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobins (HB), Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), and levels of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) The liver tissues were examined for histopathological changes. AFM1 concentrations significantly decreased blood levels and liver enzymes. Simultaneous supplementation with Nigella sativa oil, vitamin C, and E showed a significant increase in the PCV, HB, and RBC and a decrease in the WBC as well as the liver enzymes (ALT, ALP, and AST). NSO treatment restored blood loss and repaired damaged liver tissues irrespective of the AFM1 concentration administered, vitamin C and E restored changes only at low AFM1 concentrations.