Enhanced ethanol-induced changes in disposition and toxic response to dietary aflatoxin B 1 due to Sacoglottis gabonensis bark extract, a Nigerian alcoholic beverage additive

Abstract

The disposition of, and toxic response, to, dietary aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) was investigated in rats ingesting small doses of Sacoglottis gabonensis bark extract, ethanol, or both, in the drinking-water. Ingestion of ethanol alone or with the bark extract for 8 days resulted in a significant reduction in the level of AFB 1 bound to serum albumin, but the level of unbound aflatoxin in the serum was significantly depressed only by concurrent ingestion of ethanol and the bark extract. In contrast, the bark extract alone or with ethanol significantly enhanced AFB 1 binding to hepatic DNA. As with serum aflatoxin, concurrent ingestion of ethanol and the extract caused the most pronounced effect, suggesting synergism. All three treatments interfered with both the daily excretion pattern, and level, of aflatoxin in the urine. All three treatments enhanced AFB 1-induction of liver γ-glutamyltranspeptidase activity, suggesting potentiation of toxic response to AFB 1. These data suggest that addition of the bark extract to alcoholic beverages may affect the biological response to dietary AFB 1.