Hepatoprotective Potential of Genkwanin Against
Aflatoxin B1-Induced
Biochemical, Inflammatory and Histopathological Toxicity in Rats
Muhammad Umar Ijaz1, Ayesha Ishtiaq1,
Nazia Ehsan2, Muhammad Imran3 and Guo-ping Zhu1*
1Anhui
Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of
Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University,
Wuhu, Anhui, China;
2Department
of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad, Pakistan;
3Department
of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
*Corresponding author:
gpz2012@ahnu.edu.cn
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a
potent mycotoxin in humans and animals. The exposure to AFB1 is
evidenced to implicate multi-organ toxicity in humans and animals, particularly
hepatotoxicity. Genkwanin (GNK) is a bioactive non-glycosylated flavonoid with
potential pharmacological properties. Therefore, the current study aimed to
determine the dose-dependent role of GNK against AFB1-instigated
hepatotoxicity. The investigation was carried out on 96 adult male albino rats,
which were equally distributed into eight groups. The effect of 3 different
doses of GNK (5, 10 and 20 mgkg-1) was evaluated against the toxicity elicited
by 50 ugkg-1 of AFB1. After the administration of AFB1 and
GNK by the oral gavage for 56 days, the biochemical and hepatic serum markers
were determined in addition to histopathological observation. AFB1
exposure disrupted the biochemical profile by declining the activities of
antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase,
glutathione reductase and glutathione content), while elevating the
concentration of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde level. Furthermore,
AFB1 exposure notably elevated the levels of hepatic serum enzymes
(alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase)
along with the levels of inflammatory markers, nuclear factor kappa-B, tumor
necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1β and activity of
cyclooxygenase-2. Besides, AFB1 induction caused histopathological
impairments in hepatic tissues. Nonetheless, GNK co-administration remarkably
ameliorated all the damages of the hepatic system induced by AFB1 administration
to the rats. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the GNK could potentially cure
AFB1-instigated hepatotoxicity attributing to its antioxidative and
ant-inflammatory potential.
To Cite This Article:
Ijaz MU, Ishtiaq A, Ehsan N, Imran M and Zhu G,
2022.
Hepatoprotective potential of genkwanin against aflatoxin b1-induced biochemical, inflammatory
and histopathological toxicity in rats.
Pak Vet J, 42(4): 499-504.
http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2022.048