Possible role of bee pollen dietary supplement in remediation of hepato- and geno-toxic effects of aflatoxins in rats

Abstract

Background: Mycotoxins are toxic secondary fungal metabolites that implicated in many adverse health effects and economic losses. Recently, bee pollen (BP) has attracted attention as a useful preventive and therapeutic agent referring to its antioxidant properties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the potential modulatory effect of BP against aflatoxins (AFs)- induced hepato- and geno- toxicity in rats. Methodology: Twenty four albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups and treated for 30 days. Control group (fed basal diet); AFs group (3 mg/kg basal diet); BP group (20 g/kg basal diet) and AFs+BP group. Results: AFs in diet induced elevation in serum ALT and AST activities and TC, TG, LDL and VLDL levels with reduction in HDL level. This was associated with increase in hepatic H₂O₂ with decrease in GSH and NO levels. Furthermore, AFs- induced DNA damage of hepatocytes. Additionally, degeneration, necrosis, and mononuclear cells infiltration were observed in liver of AFs- intoxicated rats. BP supplementation induced a remarkable amelioration of these toxic effects, suggesting its protective antioxidant properties. Conclusion: BP could be used as a biomedicinal supplement in diet to protect animals and humans from hepato- and geno-toxic effects of AFs.