Alleviative effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on oxidative stress, inflammatory response and immune suppression induced by long-term glyphosate exposure in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a common herbal medicine, possesses antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. It has been wildly used as a feed additive in aquaculture to improve fish health. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of GBE on glyphosate (Gly) chronic toxicity and explore its possible mechanisms in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The tilapia was fed on diets containing GBE at doses of 0, 0.5, 1 and 4 g /kg and exposed to 16 mg/L Gly for 60 days. The control group was fed on 0 g/kg GBE and unexposed to Gly. The results showed that, in serum, compared with Gly alone treatment, 0.5 and/or 1 g/kg GBE treatments significantly inhibited the increase of TC, ALT and AST, while 1 and 4 g/kg GBE treatments significantly inhibited the decrease of HDL-C. Antioxidative status data showed that GBE treatments improved TAOC and GSH levels in serum, T-AOC, CAT and GSH levels in liver, and SOD and GSH levels in gills when compared to Gly group. Also, GBE treatments suppressed the formation of MDA induced by Gly exposure in liver and gills. Meanwhile, GBE treatments blocked the downregulation of autoxidation-genes (nrf-2, gst, ho-1 and nqo1) induced by Gly exposure in gills and/or liver. Furthermore, compared with the Gly group, the inflammation-related genes (nf-kb, il-1 beta and/or tnf-alpha) were clearly downregulated in GBE-fed groups, while the immune-related genes (igm, hsp70 and/or c3) were apparently upregulated in 0.5 and/or 1 g/kg GBE-fed groups. Overall, these results indicated that GBE could alleviate the chronic toxicity of Gly exposure by improving antioxidative status, suppressing inflammation and enhancing immune function in tilapia.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that GBE could alleviate the chronic toxicity of glyphosate exposure in tilapia by regulating antioxidative status, suppressing inflammation, and enhancing immune function.