THE BIOCHEMICAL PROTECTIVE ROLE OF SOME HERBS AGAINST AFLATOXICOSIS IN DUCKLINGS: II. NIGELLA SATIVA

Ayoub, M., M., El-Far, A., H., Taha, N., M., Korshom, M., A., Mandour, A., A., Abdel-Hamid, H., S., El-Neweshy, M., S.

Abstract
Objective - Our study was aimed to study the adverse effects of aflatoxin on some biochemical parameters in serum and liver of duckling as well as to evaluate the possible protective effects of Nigella sativa crushed seeds against the adverse effects of aflatoxin. Moreover, this experiment was extended to explore if these herb can decrease the production of aflatoxin in vitro by Aspergillus flavus toxigenic strain. Design - in vitro and in vivo experimentation, serum parameters, malondialdhyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and aflatoxin residues. Results - Aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus toxigenic strain was selected as a potent and widely distributed hepatotoxin that induces much health and economic hazards in animal and human. Aspergillus flavus was cultivated on rice to produce the aflatoxin used in the present study. Ducklings were allotted to control, aflatoxin treated, Nigella sativa and aflatoxin and Nigella sativa groups. Total proteins, albumin, globulins, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (EC 2.6.1.1) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (EC 2.6.1.2), cholesterol and triacylglycerols were measured in serum. The levels of hepatic Malondialdhyde and Glutathione level, Glutathione S-transferase (GST) (EC: 2.5.1.18) activity, aflatoxin residues and histopathological changes were also measured. The obtained results suggest that the addition of Nigella sativa to duckling’s ration has a protective effect against aflatoxicosis. Conclusions - From the obtained results, it can conclude that aflatoxin has hepatotoxic effects through decrease of total proteins, albumin, glutathione and glutathione S-transferase. Moreover, increase ALT, AST, cholesterol, triacylglycerols and lipid peroxidation levels. In addition, aflatoxin induced histopathological changes of liver and residues of aflatoxin were measured. While, addition of Nigella sativa to duckling's diet were induced a protective effect against aflatoxicosis. So, we advice to use Nigella sativa as a feed additive to control aflatoxicosis in poultry farms.

Key words: Aspergillus flavus; Aflatoxin; Nigella sativa; antioxidant; Hepatoprotection

ROLUL PROTECTOR BIOCHIMIC AL UNOR PLANTE MEDICINALE ÎMPOTRIVA AFLATOXICOZEI LA BOBOCII DE RAŢĂ: II. NIGELLA SATIVA

Ayoub, M., M., El-Far, A., H., Taha, N., M., Korshom, M., A., Mandour, A., A., Abdel-Hamid, H., S., El-Neweshy, M., S.

Rezumat
Obiectiv - Acest studiu a avut ca scop evidentierea efectelor adverse ale aflatoxinei asupra unor parametri biochimici din serul sanguin si ficat la bobocii de rata, respectiv evaluarea efectelor protective ale semintelor macinate de Nigella sativa împotriva efectelor adverse ale aflatoxinei. Mai mult, acest experiment a investigat daca aceasta planta poate diminua productia de aflatoxina, in vitro, de catre o tulpina toxigena de Aspergillus flavus. Design - investigatii in vitro si in vivo pentru parametri sanguini serici, Malondialdehida (MDA), Glutation (GSH), Glutation S-transferaza (GST) si reziduuri de aflatoxina. Rezultate – Aflatoxina produsa de tulpina toxigena de Aspergillus flavus este cunoscuta ca o hepatotoxina puternica si larg raspândita care produce tulburari de sanatate si pierderi în populatiile de animale si la oameni. Aspergillus flavus a fost cultivata pe substrat de orez, pentru a produce aflatoxina utilizata în prezentul studiu. Bobocii de rata Pekin au lotizati în functie de componenta hranei: lotul de control, lotul cu aflatoxina în hrana, lotul cu Nigella sativa si aflatoxina în hrana, lotul cu Nigella sativa în hrana. Proteinele totale, albumina, globulinele, alanin-aminotransferaza (ALT) (EC 2.6.1.1), aspartat-aminotransferaza (AST) (EC 2.6.1.2), colesterolul si trigliceridele au fost determinate în serul sanguin. Nivelurile de Malondialdehida hepatica, Glutation, activitatea Glutation S-transferzei (GST) (EC: 2.5.1.18), reziduul aflatoxinic si modificarile histopatologice hepatice au fost, de asemenea, masurate. Rezultatele au sugerat ca adaosul de Nigella sativa în hrana bobocilor de rata a generat un efect protectiv împotriva aflatoxicozei. Concluzii – Din rezultatele obtinute, se poate concluziona ca aflatoxina are efect hepatotoxic, generând scaderi ale nivelurilor de proteine totale, albumina glutation si glutation-S-transferaza. Mai mult, a produs cresterea nivelurilor de ALT, AST, colesterol, triacilgliceroli si peroxidare lipidica. În plus, aflatoxina a produs modificari histopatologice ale ficatului, fiind identificate reziduuri de aflatoxina. Adaosul de Nigella sativa în hrana bobocilor de rata a exercitat un efect protector împotriva aflatoxicozei. În concluzie, se recomanda utilizarea semintelor de Nigella sativa ca aditiv furajer în fermele avicole.

Cuvinte cheie: Aspergillus flavus; aflatoxina; Nigella sativa; antioxidant; hepatoprotectie