Effects of aflatoxin B1 on the submandibular salivary gland of albino rats and possible therapeutic potential of Rosmarinus officinalis: a light and electron microscopic study.

Bassant Ashraf,Mohamed Shamel,Dahlia Ghazy

doi:10.12688/f1000research.25196.1

Abstract

Background: AflatoxinB1(AFB1), a highly toxic mycotoxin, is one of the contaminantsof food items such as corn, rice, nuts, and flour.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of AFB1 on the histology and ultrastructure of the submandibular salivary glands (SMSG) of albino rats and examine the possible therapeutic effect of Rosmarinus officinalis extract. Methods: This study used 21 adult male albino rats equally divided into three groups as follows: Group C (saline-treated control group); Group A (AFB1 treated group) subjected to intraperitoneal injection of AFB1 (2 mg/kg) once daily for four weeks; Group R (rosemary-treated group) subjected to AFB1 as in Group A followed by two weeks of intraperitoneal injection of Rosmarinus officinalis extract (400mg/kg) once daily. At the end of the experimental periods, SMSGs were excised and fixed for histological and ultrastructural examinations. Results: SMSGs of the AFB1 group presented atrophied serous acini with numerous cytoplasmic vacuolations; their granular convoluted tubules, striated ducts and excretory ducts presented signs of degeneration in their cell lining with the presence of abundant cytoplasmic vacuolations. In addition, dilated blood vessels engorged with red blood cells were frequently seen. Ultrastructural findings of the AFB1 group showed some acinar cells with degenerated mitochondria presenting loss of cristae and vacuolations as well as irregular, shrunken nuclei with condensed chromatin. Dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum were observed in granular convoluted tubules and striated ducts. The glands of animals that received rosemary extract almost regained their normal architecture. Conclusions: It can be concluded that rosemary extract has an ameliorative effect on the deleterious histological and ultrastructural changes induced by chronic AFB1 intake in rat SMSGs.

Highlights

Aflatoxins are naturally-occurring mycotoxins produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus, a mold that can be found on several food products
Histological sections of submandibular salivary glands (SMSG) of the Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) administered group rats showed acini apparently decreased in size, as revealed by wide interacinar spaces, and numerous different sized cytoplasmic vacuoles were seen in their cells (Figure 1C)
Based on its popular use as an antioxidant in several studies on various tissues[13,20], rosemary was chosen in this study to evaluate its potential for alleviating the histological and ultrastructural changes in the SMSG of aflatoxicated rats

Summary

Introduction

Aflatoxins are naturally-occurring mycotoxins produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus, a mold that can be found on several food products. They are probably the most popular and most intensively studied mycotoxins in the world[1]. AFB1 toxicity was reported to lead to severe health issues such as cancer, growth retardation, and immunosuppression In this regard, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified AFB1 as a group I carcinogen, which raises the risk of cancer in humans[5]. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of AFB1 on the histology and ultrastructure of the submandibular salivary glands (SMSG) of albino rats and examine the possible therapeutic effect of Rosmarinus officinalis extract. Conclusions: It can be concluded that rosemary extract has an ameliorative effect on the deleterious histological and ultrastructural

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion