Planta Med 2009; 75 - PJ52
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1234857

Protective effect of milk thistle and grape seed extracts on fumonisin B1 induced hepatotoxicity in rats

H El-Adawi 1, D El-Azhary 2, M Abdel-Mohsen 3, A Abd El-Wahab 1, M El-Shafeey 1
  • 1Medical Biotechnology Dept., GEBRI institute, Mubarak City, Alexandria, Egypt
  • 2Zoology Dept., Faculty of Science, Menia University, Menia, Egypt
  • 3Applied Medical Chemistry Dept., Medical Research Institute, Alexandria, Egypt

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mold metabolite produced by Fusarium species that is frequently found in corn worldwide [1]. It is toxic to both liver and kidney [2].

Research: Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by feeding them FB1 contaminated corn. Evidence of hepatotoxicity was observed after 60 days by an increase in the plasma activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), where that elevation reached 78% (p=0.000), in comparison with the control group. Pretreatment with milk thistle (S), or grape seeds (G) extracts or both (S+G) was found to return the ALT level back to normal. FB1, drastically depleted glutathione peroxidase (GpX) to 48%, while pretreatment with S, G, and S+G could elevate the GpX by 30%, 31% and 50%, respectively. Lipid peroxidation represented by malondialdehyde was elevated significantly to 137%. On the other hand, the pretreated groups (S, G, and S+G) have altered the levels down to 38%, 37%, and 44%, respectively. In addition to the hepatotoxicity of FB1, the kidney function was investigated too, where the creatinine level was elevated to 65%. The pretreatment by S and S+G lowered the level down to 22% and 24%, respectively and the pretreatment with G could successfully return the creatinine level to normal. Serum activity of urea was significantly elevated to 30%, and the pretreatment groups S, G, and S+G could significantly reduce it to 52%, 37% and 46%, respectively. Histological examination of liver sections confirmed the serum analysis, where significant improvements were observed in all pretreated groups in comparison with the liver sections of rats fed on FB1. These improvements might be due to their ability to lower serum total cholesterol and low- density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as slowing the lipid peroxidation process by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.

References: [1] Gelderblom, W.C. et al. (1991) Carcinogenesis 12:1247–1251.

[2] Carlson, D.B. et al. (2001) Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 172:29–36.