Pathological and biochemical evaluation of coumarin and chlorophyllin against aflatoxicosis in rat

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination of animal diet has adverse effects on animal health and productivity. This study was performed to investigate the effect of using coumarin and/or chlorophyllin in rat diet against aflatoxicosis. Fifty-four rats were assigned into 7 groups (6 rats each). G1 was a negative control. G2 received water with coumarin 0.5%. G3 received water with chlorophyllin 0.5%. G4 received water with coumarin 0.5% and chlorophyllin 0.5%. G5-8 fed aflatoxin B₁ 1000 ppb in diet. Group 6–8 were administered similar treatments as G2-4. The experiment ended after 8 weeks. Random glucose, total lipid, total cholesterol, total triglycerides, total protein, serum ALT, AST, creatinine, and urea were measured. Histopathology of liver, kidney and pancreas and immunohistochemical staining of placental glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P) in liver were performed. The glucose serum level, cholesterol, AST, and ALT were elevated in G5 compared to G6-8. The liver and kidney lesions in G5 included vacuolation and necrosis which subsided in G6-8. The necrosis and inflammatory cells infiltration in the pancreas of G5 were absent in G6-8. GST-P positive hepatocytes were abundant in G5, few in G6 and absent in G7 and G8. In conclusion, the chlorophyllin and coumarin possessed protective and anti-carcinogenic effect against aflatoxicosis in rats.