Detoxification of Aflatoxin B1 by Ginger Extract in Mice

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), is a mycotoxin found in food and feed, exerts harmful effects on humans and animals. The liver is the earliest target organ of AFB1, and its effects have been evaluated in animal models exposed to acute or chronic doses. For this reason, this study was planned to detoxify the AFB1 by ginger root extracts in mice. Forty mice were caged to four experimental groups and treated for 5 weeks with extracts and with or without AFB1. Blood samples were collected and removal the livers at the end of an experimental period for serum biochemical analysis of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and study the histopathological changes of the liver. The results indicated that mice treated with AFB1 alone showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in all parameters tested (79.01± 1.05 IU/L), (199± 1.15 IU/L), and (27.19±0.97 IU/L) respectively, whereas no significant differences were noticed in group treated extract alone while in group treated ginger root extract with AFB1 could significantly lower the serum activity level of all parameters tested to reach (38.10± 1.01 IU/L), (94.96± 1.22 IU/L), and (15.08±1.21 IU/L) respectively. The histopathological changes of liver showed congestion of central vein, apoptotic cells and formation of a mitotic figure in a group treated AFB1 alone, whereas group treated AFB1 with extract showed regeneration in most hepatocytes normal structure. These results clearly indicated that AFB1 has stressful effects on the hepatic tissues and ginger root extract was found most effective in the prevention of Aflatoxin-induced toxicity in mice.