Protective effects of phenolics rich extract of ginger against Aflatoxin B1-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity

Aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) is one of the predominant mycotoxin contaminant in food and feed, causing oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. Ginger phenolics have been reported for its antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective activity. The present study investigated the protective effects of phenolics rich ginger extract (GE) against AFB(1) induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity, in vitro and in vivo. The phenolic acid profiles of GE showed 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol as predominant components. Pretreatment of HepG2 cells with GE significantly inhibited the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA strand break, and cytotoxicity induced by AFB(1). A comparable effect was observed in in vivo. Male Wistar rats were orally treated with GE (100 and 250 mg/kg) daily, with the administration of AFB(1) (200 mg/kg) every alternative day for 28 days. Treatment with GE significantly reduced AFB(1) induced toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage. In addition, GE also showed significant hepatoprotective effect by reducing the lipid peroxidation and by enhancing the antioxidant enzymes activities. These results combined with liver histopathological observations indicated that GE has potential protective effect against AFB(1) induced hepatotoxicity. Additionally, administration of GE up-regulated Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, which further proved the efficiency of GE to inhibit AFB(1) induced hepatotoxicity. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.