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.
