Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-DNA damage effects of carnosic acid against aflatoxin B1-induced hepatic, renal, and cardiac toxicities in rats.

Background: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) food contamination is a global health hazard that has detrimental effects on both human and animal health. The objective of the current study is to assess the protective impact of carnosic acid against AFB1-induced toxicities in the liver, kidneys, and heart.

Methods: Forty male Wistar Albino rats (weighting 180 ~ 200 g) were allocated into 5 groups (8 rats each); the 1^st group received saline as served as a control, the 2^nd group received carnosic acid (CA100) at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw/day by gavage for 14 days, the 3^rd group received AFB1 at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg bw, orally twice on days 12 and 14, the 4^th group (AFB1-CA50) received AFB1 as in the 3^rd group and CA at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day, and the 5^th group (AFB1-CA100) received AFB1 as in the 3^rd group and CA as in the 2^nd group.

Results: CA significantly decreased the liver enzymes (ALT, AST. ALP), renal function products (LDH, BUN, creatinine), and cardiac enzymes (CK and CK-MB) to control levels after the high increment by AFB1 exposure. Moreover, CA significantly decreased the oxidative stress (MDA, NO, 8-OHdG) and increased the antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD) after severe disruption of oxidant/antioxidant balance by AFB1 exposure. Interestingly, CA significantly decreased the proinflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) to the control levels after severe inflammation induced by AFB1 exposure.

Conclusions: Conclusively, CA had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-DNA damage effects against hepatic, renal, and cardiac AFB1-induced toxicities.