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Aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) is common carcinogen causing acute and chronic hepatocyte injuries. This study aimed to determine the bioactive components of Teucrium polium methanolic extract (TPE) and to evaluate their protective role against AFB 1 -induced oxidative damage, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in rats. Six groups of male albino rats were treated orally for 4 weeks including the control group, the ِAFB 1 -treated group (80 μg/kg b.w.), the groups treated with low (LD) or high (HD) dose TPE (50 or 100 mg/kg b.w.), and the groups treated with AFB 1 plus TEP (LD) or TPE (HD). Blood and serum samples were collected for different assays. The GC-MS identified 34 compounds, the major compounds were pinene, germacrene D, α-cadinol, α-thujene, epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene, and limonene. Animals that received AFB 1 showed significant changes in all indicators of oxidative stress, biochemistry, cytokines, MNPCEs, comet tail formation in bone marrow, mRNA expression of inflammatory-related genes, Nrf2, and iNOS beside histological changes in the liver. TPE at the two doses tested showed insignificant changes in all tested parameters. The extract could normalize most of these parameters and the hepatic structure in AFB 1 -treated animals in a dose-dependent fashion. therefore, we concluded that TPE supplementation is effective for protection against AFB 1 in endemic areas., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin that induces severe health disturbances in humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds in Costus speciosus extract (CSE) using GC-MS and evaluate its protective capability against ZEN-induced oxidative damage, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity in rats. Six groups of male Sprague Dawley rats were treated orally for 15 days including the control group, CSE-treated groups at low (200 mg/kg b. w) or high (400 mg/kg b. w) dose, ZEN-treated group (40 μg/kg b. w), and the groups treated with ZEN plus the low or the high dose of CSE. Blood and tissue samples were collected for different assays and pathological analyses. The results of GC-MS indicated the identification of 6 compounds and Azulene was the major. Animals that received ZEN showed severe disturbances in serum biochemical, cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, mRNA expression of iNOS, Nrf2, and inflammatory-related genes. ZEN also increased micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) and comet tail formation in bone marrow cells along with the disturbances in the histological architecture of the liver and kidney. Co-administration of CSE plus ZEN could normalize the majority of the tested parameters and the histological picture at a dose as low as 200 mg/kg b. w. Therefore, CSE protects against ZEN toxicity via its antioxidant activity, modulation of iNOS, inflammatory-related genes, and the Nrf2 pathway and it could be used in the endemic regions., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds of the ethyl acetate extract of Aspergillus niger SH2-EGY using GC-MS and to evaluate their protective role against aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 )-induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in rats. Six groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally for 4 weeks included the control group, AFB 1 -treated group (80 μg/kg b.w); fungal extract (FE)-treated groups at low (140) or high dose (280) mg/kg b.w and the groups treated with AFB 1 plus FE at the two tested doses. The GC-MS analysis identified 26 compounds. The major compounds found were 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-trimethylsilyl Glucopyranose, Fmoc-L-3-(2-Naphthyl)-alanine, D-(-)-Fructopyranose, pentakis (trimethylsilyl) ether, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, trimethylsilyl ether-glucitol, and octadecanamide, N-(2- methylpropyl)-N-nitroso. The in vivo results showed that AFB 1 significantly increased serum ALT, AST, creatinine, uric acid, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, interleukin-6, Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, Bax, caspase-3 and P53 mRNA expression, chromosomal aberrations and DNA fragmentation. It decreased serum TP, albumin, HDL, Bcl-2 mRNA expression, hepatic and renal TAC, SOD and GPx content and induced histological changes in the liver and kidney. FE prevented these disturbances in a dosage-dependent manner. It could be concluded that A. niger SH2-EGY extract is safe a promising agent for pharmaceutical and food industries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The present study was conducted to determine the abilities of the living Lactobacillus plantarum MON03 cells to degrade Zearalenone (ZEN) in liquid medium, and to elucidate the preventive effect in ZEN-contaminated balb/c mice showing kidney damage. The DNA fragmentation, Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression, caspase-3 activity, mRNA level of inflammation-regulating cytokines and histology of kidney tissues were examined. Female Balb/c mice were divided into four groups (10/group) and treated daily for 2 wk by oral gavage with lactic acid bacteria (L. plantarum MON03) 2 × 10 9  CFU/L, ~2 mg/kg only, ZEN (40 mg/kg BW) only, ZEN (40 mg/kg BW) + lactic acid bacteria (L. plantarum MON03, 2 × 10 9  CFU/L, ~2 mg/kg). Control group received vehicle. At the end of experiment, the kidney was collected for the determination of DNA fragmentation, Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression,caspase-3 activity, Malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) content, as well as for any alterations in expression of total antioxidant activity (TAC) and mRNA levels of inflammation-regulating cytokines (e.g., IL-10, IL-6, TNF-alpha). The results indicated that, kidney cells exposure to ZEN led to increased caspase-3 activity, MDA, and IL-10, IL-6, TNF-alpha and Bax mRNA levels, but decreased TAC content and down-regulated expression of GSH-Px and CAT and Bcl-2 mRNA. Co-treatment with ZEN plus LP suppressed the levels of DNA fragmentation; normalized kidney MDA and increased CAT levels, up-regulated expression of GSH-Px and CAT, and normalized mRNA levels of the analyzed cytokines. It's concluded that ZEN might have toxic effects in kidney. Further, it can be seen that use of LP induced protective effects against the oxidative stress and kidney toxicity of ZEN in part through adhesion (and so likely diminished bioavailability)., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to assess the disturbances in intestinal genes expression and DNA fragmentation in mice treated orally with aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) or aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) and the protective activity of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP). Male Balb/c mice were divided into 6 groups including the control group, the group treated with 2 mg/kg b.w of LP (2 × 10 9  cfu/mL), the groups treated with AFB 1 or AFM 1 (100 μg/kg b.w), and the groups treated with AFB 1 or AFM 1 during, after or before LP. Small intestines were collected for the determination of DNA fragmentation, gene expression and target protein content. The results showed that AFB 1 or AFM 1 increased DNA fragmentation, down regulated the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-9, CYP3A13, Bax and p53 as well as up-regulated the expression of TNF-α and Bcl-2 and their target proteins. LP succeeded to alleviate the disturbances in DNA fragmentation and the expression of these genes. The improvement was more pronounced in the group co-administered with the toxins plus LP. It could be concluded that AFB 1 and AFM 1 induced disturbances in intestinal function via the disturbances in DNA fragmentation and genes expression. LP induced a potential protective effect and is considered a promising agent against the genotoxicity induced by these mycotoxins., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a Fusarium mycotoxin that frequently contaminates cereal and cereal-based food and induces liver injury. This study evaluated the protective role of silymarin nanoparticles (SILNPs) and inulin nanoparticles (INNPs) against DON-induced liver injury in rats. Eleven groups of rats were treated orally for 3 weeks as follows: the control group, DON-treated group (5 mg/kg b.w.); INNPs-treated groups at low (LD) or high (HD) dose (100 or 200 mg/kg b.w.); SILPNs-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w.); SILNPs plus INNPs(LD) or INNPs(HD)-treated groups; INNPs(LD) or INNPs(HD) plus DON-treated groups and DON plus SILNPs and INNPs(LD) or INNPs(HD)-treated groups. Blood and tissue samples were collected for different analyses. The results revealed that the practical sizes were 200 and 98 nm for SILNPs and INNPs respectively. DON increased liver enzymes activity, lipid profile, serum cytokines, number and percentage of chromosomal aberration, DNA fragmentation and comet score. It disturbed the oxidative stress markers, down regulated gene expression and induced histological changes in the liver tissue. Treatment with DON and SILNPs and/or INNPs at the two tested doses improved all the tested parameters and SILNPs plus INNPs(HD) normalized most of these parameters in DON-treated animals. SILNPs and INNPs could be promising candidates as hepatoprotective against DON or other hepatotoxins., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been reported to remove mycotoxins from aqueous solutions through a binding process, which appears to be species and strain specific. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective role of Lactobacillus casei (L1) and Lactobacillus reuteri (L2) against aflatoxin (AFs)-induced oxidative stress in rats. Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups including the control group and the groups treated with L1 or L2 (1 x 10¹¹/ml) alone at a dose of 10 ml/kg b.w or plus AFs (3 mg/kg diet) for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatments, blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histological studies. The results indicated that AFs alone induced a significant decrease in food intake and body weight and a significant increase in transaminase, alkaline phosphatase cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids, creatinine, uric acid and nitric oxide in serum and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney accompanied with a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity. Treatments with L1 or L2 succeeded to induce a significant improvement in all the biochemical parameters and histological picture of the liver. Moreover, L2 was more effective than L1 and both can be used safely in functional foods., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The leafy parts of thyme and its essential oil have been used in foods for the flavor, aroma and preservation and also in folk medicines. The aim of the current study was to determine the components of Thymus vulgaris L essential oil and to evaluate the protective effects of this oil against aflatoxin-induce oxidative stress in rats. Thirty six mature male Sprague-Dawley were divided into six treatment groups and treated for 2 weeks as follows: control group; the groups treated orally with low and high doses of T. vulgaris oil (5 and 7.5 mg/kg b.w.); the group fed AFs-contaminated diet (2.5 mg/kg diet) and the groups fed AFs-contaminated diet and treated orally with the oil at the two tested doses. Blood and tissue samples were collected at the end of treatment period for biochemical study and histological examination. The results indicated that the oil contains Carvarcrol (45 mg/g), Thymol (24.7 mg/g), β-Phellandrene (9.7 mg/g), Linalool (4.1 mg/g), Humuline (3.1 mg/g), α-Phellandrene (2.3 mg/g) and Myrcene (2.1 mg/g). However, α and β-pinene, Myrcene, α-thyjone, Tricyclene, 1, 8-cineole, and β-sabinene were found in lower concentrations. Treatment with AFs alone disturbs lipid profile in serum, decreases Total antioxidant capacity, increase creatinine, uric acid and nitric oxide in serum and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney accompanied with a sever histological changes in the liver tissues. The oil alone at the two tested doses did not induce any significant changes in the biochemical parameters or the histological picture. The combined treatment showed significant improvements in all tested parameters and histological pictures in the liver tissues. Moreover, this improvement was more pronounced in the group received the high dose of the oil. It could be concluded that the essential oil of T. vulgaris has a potential antioxidant activity and a protective effect against AFs toxicity and this protection was dose dependent., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Exposure to fumonisins (FB) is known to have toxic and carcinogenic effects in different animal species, and to express toxicity in cells via the induction of oxidative stress. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of the ethanol extract of Aquilegia vulgaris L. against the oxidative stress and the genotoxicity using micronucleus assay and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD-PCR) in FB-treated rats. Sixty mature female Sprague-Dawley were divided into six treatment groups and treated for 4 weeks as follow: the control group, the group fed FB-contaminated diet (200 mg/kg diet), the groups treated orally with the extract (5 and 10 mg/kg bw) and the groups fed FB-contaminated diet and treated with the extract at the two doses. The results showed that treatment with FB alone disturbed lipid profile in serum, increases Sa/So ratio, induces micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (Mn-PCEs) in bone marrow, increases DNA and RNA in liver accompanied with significant changes in histological picture The extract alone at the two tested doses did not induce any significant changes in the biochemical or histological picture. The combined treatment showed significant improvements in all biochemical, cytogenetic parameters tested and histological pictures in the liver tissues. Moreover, this improvement was more pronounced in the group received the high dose of the extract. It could be concluded that the ethanol extract of A. vulgaris induced its protective effect via the increase in the antioxidant capacity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and scavenging of free radicals., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium in cereals and agricultural products. It has been implicated in several mycotoxicosis in farm animals and in humans. There is unequivocal evidence of reproductive toxicity of ZEN in male mice although the mechanism of action is unknown. Several reports suggest that exposure to ZEN resulted in oxidative stress, genotoxicity and perturbation of reproductive parameters. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous extract of Raphanus sativus growing in Tunisia against ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress. Fifty male Balb/c mice were divided into five groups and treated for 28 days as follows: the control group, olive oil-treated groups, another treated with ZEN (40 mg/kg b.w), the last one treated with R. sativus extract alone (15 mg/kg b.w) and the other with ZEN + R. sativus extract. Testis samples were collected for the epididymal sperm count, testosterone concentration, and MDA level, GPx, CAT and SOD activities. Blood samples were collected for different biochemical analyses. Also, RAPD-PCR method was performed to assess the antigenotoxic effect of the extract in germ cells. The results indicated that ZEN-induced toxicological effects in accordance to those reported in the literature: decreasing in the sperm number, testosterone level and antioxidant enzyme status. The RAPD-PCR analysis revealed an alteration in the DNA bands patterns between control and ZEN-treated mice. The extract alone, rich in many antioxidant compounds, was safe and succeeded in counteracting the oxidative stress and protect against the toxicity resulting from ZEN.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin often found in cereals and agricultural products. There is unequivocal evidence of renal carcinogenicity of OTA in male rats, although the mechanism of action is unknown. Several reports suggest that exposure to OTA resulted in oxidative stress, genotoxicity and DNA damage. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous extract of Inula crithmoides growing in Egypt against OTA-induced mutagenicity and oxidative stress. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and treated for 15 days as follows: control group and the groups treated with OTA (3 mg/kg b.w), I. crithmoides extract alone (370 mg/kg b.w) and OTA+I. crithmoides extract. Blood and tissue samples were collected for different biochemical analyses. Bone marrow micronucleus test and blood for random amplified polymorphism DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR) method were performed to assess the antigenotoxic effect of the extract. The results indicated that OTA induced toxicological effects typical to those reported in the literature and increased the frequencies of MnPCEs in bone marrow. The RAPD-PCR analysis revealed the appearance of new bands in DNA resulting from genetic alteration. The extract alone was safe and succeeded in counteracting the oxidative stress and protect against the cytotoxicity resulting from OTA.

Fumonisins (FB) are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides, frequently associated with corn. It produces toxicity, including teratogenicity, equine leukoencephalomalacia, porcine pulmonary edema, hepatic or renal damage in most animal species and perturb sphingolipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of royal jelly (RJ) against FB toxicity. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six treatment groups including the control group; group fed FB-contaminated diet (200mg/kg diet) and the groups treated orally with RJ (100 or 150mg/kg body weight) with or without FB for 3 weeks. FB alone decreased body weight gain, feed intake, GPX and SOD. Whereas it increased in ALT, AST, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, createnine and uric acid levels. Animals received FB showed severe histological and histochemical changes in liver and kidney tissues. Cotreatment with FB plus RJ resulted in a significant improvement in all the tested parameters and the histological and histochemical pictures of the liver and kidney. These improvements were pronounced in animals fed FB-contaminated diet plus the high dose of RJ. It could be concluded that RJ have a protective effects against FB toxicity and this protection was dose dependent.