Spirulina platensis Inhibits Aflatoxin B1 Induced Biochemical Changes in Male Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Aflatoxins (AF) are harmful metabolites produced by Aspergillums species principally by Aspergillus. flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxins are hepatotoxic, teratogenic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. The main objective of the current study was to evaluate protective effects of Spirulina platensis extract against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced biochemical changes in male Swiss albino mice. Randomly 25 healthy inbred mice were allocated into five groups, each having 5 mice. Group I (Control group), mice received normal diet. Group II mice received 100 mg/kg/day of S. platensis extract. Group III mice received 200 µg/kg/day of AFB1. Group IV mice received S. platensis extract 100 mg/kg/day and 200 µg/kg/day of AFB1. Group V mice received S. platensis extract 200 mg/kg/day and 200 µg/kg/day of AFB1 for 28 days. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), globulin, albumin and total plasma protein were analyzed in blood samples using an automated biochemistry analyser. Data analysis was done using one way ANOVA with Tukey’s Honestly Significantly Differenced (HSD) post-hoc analysis. Statistical significance level was set at P<0.05. Results showed that compared to group 1 (control), group 3 (200 µg/Kg/day AFB1) had increased levels of ALT; (44.0±6.83 IU/L vs. 61.0±8.19 IU/L; p=0.054), AST (176.75±44.34 IU/L vs. 256±115.99 IU/L; p=0.0195) and ALP (51.75±11.89 IU/L vs. 59.40±6.91 IU/L; p =0.049). Mice that were co-treated with 200 µg/Kg/day of AFB1 and 200 mg/Kg/day of S. platensis extract exhibited lower levels compared to mice treated with only 200 mg/Kg/day of AFB1; ALT (49.8±7.9 IU/L vs. 61.5±8.19 IU/L; p=0.039), AST (229.8±95 IU/L vs. 256±11.15 IU/L; p=0.04819) and ALP (26.5±13.48 IU/L vs. 49.75±4.1 IU/L; p=0.0444). In conclusion, our study findings suggest that supplementation of S. platensis extract at a level of 100 mg/Kg/day and 200 mg/Kg/day can reverse elevation of ALT, AST and ALP serum levels caused by 200 µg/Kg/day of AFB1 in male Swiss albino mice.