Abstract
Aflatoxins are a common food contaminant of global concern. Aflatoxin B
(AFB
) intoxication is associated with serious health hazards. Recently, fucoidan (FUC) has gained much attention from pharmaceutical industry due to its promising therapeutic effects. The impacts of FUC on AFB
-induced liver and kidney injures have not been sufficiently addressed. This research was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effect of FUC in AFB1-induced hepatorenal toxicity model in rats over 14 days. Five groups were assigned; control, FUC (200 mg/kg/day, orally), AFB
(50 μg/kg, i.p.), and AFB
plus a low or high dose of FUC. AFB
induced marked hepatorenal injury elucidated by substantial alterations in biochemical tests and histological pictures. The oxidative distress instigated by AFB
enhanced production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) along with reduction in the reduced-glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities. DNA damage in the liver and kidney tissues has been demonstrated by overexpression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Unambiguously, FUC consumption alleviates the AFB
-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative harm, and apoptosis. These ameliorated effects are proposed to be attributed to fucoidan's antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities. Our results recommend FUC supplementation to food because it exerts both preventive and therapeutic effects against AFB
-induced toxicity.