Hepatoprotective effects of a chemically-characterized extract from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) against AFB₁-induced toxicity in rats

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the protective potential of a pharmaceutically formulated capsule of artichoke leaf powder (ArLP) against aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. In the 42-day experiment, rats were divided into five equal groups: (i) control, treated with sterile water, (ii) treated with 4% DMSO as AFB₁ vehicle, (iii) ArLP of 100 mg kg^–1 bw, (iv) AFB₁ of 72 µg kg^–1 bw, and (v) AFB₁ plus ArLP. Exposure of rats to AFB₁ resulted in hepatotoxicity as manifested by the intensification of oxidative stress, production of free radicals and significant increase in the activity levels of liver function enzymes relative to the control. Significant reductions in both the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant markers as well as histopathological abnormalities in liver tissues were also observed. Notably, the combined administration of ArLP with AFB₁ clearly reduced AFB₁-mediated adverse effects leading to the normalization of most of these parameters back to control levels. These findings clearly highlight the potential benefits of artichoke dietary supplements as a safe and natural solution in counteracting the adverse hepatotoxic effects conferred by AFB₁ exposure. Further research is warranted to fully dissect the biochemical and molecular mechanism of action of the observed artichoke-mediated hepatoprotection.

Keywords:

• Artichoke
• Cynara scolymus
• aflatoxin B₁
• anti-AFB₁ dietary products
• oxidative stress
• hepatotoxicity

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University for funding through Vice Deanship of Scientific Research Chairs, Research Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics. The authors are grateful to Dr. Nashwa W. Yassa at the Bioscreening and Preclinical Trial Lab, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, and the Biochemistry Department, Faulty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt for her support and collaboration during this study.

Author contributions

Mostafa A. Nasef: methodology, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, and writing – original draft. Mokhtar I. Yousef: conceptualization, project administration, validation, formal analysis, investigation, supervision, reviewing and editing the draft. Doaa A. Ghareeb: methodology, validation, formal analysis, investigation, supervision, revising the draft. Maria Augustyniak: validation, formal statistical analysis, writing – original draft, reviewing and editing the draft. Mourad Aboul-Soud: validation, formal analysis, writing – original draft reviewing and editing the draft. Abeer El Wakil: conceptualization, validation, formal analysis, investigation, supervision, writing – original draft, reviewing and editing the draft.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University through Vice Deanship of Scientific Research Chairs, Research Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics.