Reversal of toxigenic effects of aflatoxin B₁ on cockerels by alcoholic extract of African nutmeg, Monodora myristica

Abstract

The reversal of the toxigenic effects of crystalline aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ; from Aspergilus flavus) on cockerels using different concentrations of the ethanolic extract from the seeds of African nutmeg, Monodora myristica, was studied in 130 two-week-old cockerels, randomly divided into 13 groups (A-M) of ten birds each. Group A (controls) received 100 µl of phosphate-buffered saline, while those in the test groups B, C and D received 690 ng, 1380 ng or 2010 ng of AFB 1 , respectively; groups E to M received the three doses of AFB 1 with either 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 ml of the extract of M myristica, respectively, 5 min after administration of AFB 1 . Jugular blood, collected on days 14 and 21 after administration, was analysed for haematology parameters, serum proteins, alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and γ -glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels. The birds were observed daily for clinical signs and mortality for 21 days. Post-mortem examination was carried out on the livers of dead birds and those sacrificed by exsanguination after the 21 days post-administration. One hundred per cent mortality was recorded in cockerels that received high doses of only AFB 1 within 72 h (2010 ng per bird), and between 17 and 19 days (1380 ng). The cockerels developed leucocytosis and microcytic hypochromic anaemia. Dosing with 0.2 or 0.3 ml of the extract of M myristica reversed these changes over time, while the lowest dose (0.1 ml) did not. While serum bilirubin levels rose significantly in test cockerels, no significant changes (P > 0.05) were observed in the levels of serum proteins of control and test cockerels, whether or not they received the extract of M myristica. Aflatoxicosis caused significant decreases and increases (P < 0.05) in serum AST and GGT levels, respectively, while the administration of alcoholic extract of M myristica reversed the GGT but not AST levels to normal. Livers from control cockerels and those given 2010 ng of AFB 1 showed no appreciable gross or histological lesions. The other groups showed mild to moderate hepatomegaly, paleness and friability, diffuse vacuolar degeneration and necrosis, Kupffer cell proliferation, presence of megalocytes and multinucleated hepatocytes. Cockerels that received 0.2 or 0.3 ml of extract of M myristica, irrespective of the dose of AFB 1 showed the mildest hepatic lesions. The results of this study show that AFB 1 is highly toxigenic to cockerels and that this could be successfully reversed by the concurrent administration of alcoholic extract of M myristica. It is therefore recommended that reduction of fungal growth on foods and subsequent toxicosis by aeration, cooling, modified atmospheres or by fungistats, is complemented with the use of extracts of spices from M myristica seed, a tree widely distributed along the west coast and central Africa.

Comparative assessment of some physico-chemical properties of seed oils of Parkia biglobosa and Monodora myristica with some commercial oils

“…M. myristica seed extract contains important pharmacological compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, and vitamins A and E as well as many important lipids (George and Osioma, 2011). Alcoholic extracts of M. myristica is known to reverse the toxigenic effect of aflatoxins (Oluwafemi and Taiwo, 2004). In Eastern Nigeria, the seeds are used as condiment and one of the spices used as postpartum tonic.…”

Potentials of Two Nigerian Spices—&lt;i&gt;Piper nigrum&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Monodora myristica&lt;/i&gt; as Sources for Cheap Natural Antioxidants

“…The seed is used locally in the treatment of cough, headache, fever, skin diseases, and when ground to powder; helps relieve constipation and control passive uterine haemorrhage in women immediately after child birth [13]. The antibacterial effect of the oily seed extracts of African nutmeg has been reported [14], and the alcoholic extracts of the seed showed the ability to reverse the toxigenic effects of aflatoxin [15].…”

In vitro and in vivo assessment of banana peel powder as an aflatoxins biosorbent

“…Agricultural wastes such as peel of various fruits and vegetables is applied in food and other industries as an adsorption agents for various contaminants (Mohamed et al, 1994 (Kulkarni, 2005;Chanda et al, 2010;Kamba & Hassan, 2010;Mohd et al, 2012 andJanjua et al, 2013). Furthermore, several plant wastes have been shown to have ameliorative effects against induced toxicity of AFB1 in animals (Liu et al, 1995;Gyamfi & Aniya, 1998;Oluwafemi & Taiwo, 2004;Farombi et al, 2005 andChoi et al, 2011).…”