Inhibitory effect of nigella sativa seeds and curcumin on hepatotoxicity induced by aflatoxin in Japanese quails associated with DNA Damage

Abstract EN

This study is aimed to investigate the adverse effects of Aflatoxin (AFs) on performances, immunity and some biochemical parameters in serum and tissues of Japanese quails as well as to evaluate the possible protective effects of Nigella sativa (NS) crushed seeds and Curcumin powders to overcome the adverse effects of AFs.

A total 120 unsexed Japanese quails chicks were divided equally into 4 groups; control group (G1), AFs group 2.5 ppm (G2), AFs 2.5 ppm plus Nigella sativa 1.5% (G3) and AFs 2.5 ppm plus Curcumin powders 400 mg/ kg diet (G4) for one month of experiment.

AFs induced hepatotoxicity and immunosuppressive revealed by significant decrease in B.W, total leukocytes count and lymphocytes percent, while increase in heterophils percent, it also induced a significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin and globulin, on the other hand significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activity, while significant increase in malonaladahyde activity (MDA) and also in DNA fragmentation.

Treatment with NS and Curcumin produce significant increase in B.W, TLC and lymphocytes percent, while decrease in heterophils percent, significant increase in total protein, albumin and globulin, on the other hand significant decrease in ALT and AST, significant increase in SOD, GSH activity and significant decrease in MDA activity and significance decrease in DNA fragmentation.

This study indicated that treatment with Nigella sativa and Curcumin improved the adverse effects of AFs on performances, immunity, some biochemical parameters in serum and tissues and also gave more protection for DNA from fragmentation