Bee venom loaded into nanoliposomes efficiently eliminates the oxidative damage and improves the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediator genes in aflatoxin B1-exposed rats

Abstract

In this study, we assess the preventive effect of crude bee venom (CBV), and bee venom-loaded nanoliposomes (BV@NLs) against oxidative damage in rats caused by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). BV@NLs with an average size and zeta potential of +46.5 mV and 230.9 ± 5.21 nm and PDI of 0.201±0.01 were prepared. Eight groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats received oral treatment for 4 weeks, including the negative control group, AFB1 (80 μg/kg b.w), CBV (0.05 mg/kg b.w), BV@NLs (0.05 or 1 mg/kg b.w), AFB1 plus CBV, and AFB1 plus BV@NL at the two tested doses. Samples of tissue and blood were obtained for various histological, biochemical, and hematological studies. The findings revealed that AFB1 alone produced substantial alterations in hematology, biochemistry, lipid profile, oxidative indices, serum cytokines, and gene expression, along with DNA damage, and histological abnormalities in the liver and kidneys. None of the investigated parameters changed when CBV or BV@NLs were administered alone. However, combination treatments with CBV or BV@NLs with AFB1 significantly improved and relieved the oxidative damage caused by AFB1, with BV@NLs being more effective than CBV and the high dosage outperforming the low dose. It might be stated that nanoliposomes are promising effective drug delivery for bee venom to enhance its efficiency and overcome the challenges associated with its applications.