Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is considered to be a grave threat to humans and animals. Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) has been reported for its antioxidant potential and medicinal properties. However, the shielding effects of Rb1 and the precise molecular mechanisms against DON-induced immunotoxicity in mice have not been reported yet. In the present research, 4-weeks old healthy C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into four experimental groups (n = 12), viz., CON, DON 3 mg/kg BW, Rb1 50 mg/kg BW and DON 3 mg/kg + Rb1 50 mg/kg BW (DON + Rb1). Feed intake and body weight gain were monitored during the entire experiment (15 d). Our results demonstrated that Rb1 markedly increased the ADG (30%) and ADFI (25.10%) of mice compared with DON group. Furthermore, Rb1 alleviated the DON-induced immune injury by relieving the splenic histopathological alteration, enhancing the T-lymphocytes subsets (CD4+, CD8+), the levels of cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α), as well as production of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG). Moreover, Rb1 ameliorated DON-inflicted oxidative stress by reducing the ROS, MDA and H2O2 contents and boosting the antioxidant defense system (T-AOC, T-SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px). Additionally, Rb1 significantly reversed the DON-induced excessive splenic apoptosis via modulating the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway in mice, depicting the decreased percentage of splenocyte apoptotic cells by 26.65%, down-regulated the mRNA abundance of Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, and protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and Cyt-c. Simultaneously, Rb1 markedly rescued both Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression levels. Taken together, Rb1 mitigates DON-induced immune injury by suppressing the oxidative damage and regulating the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway in mice. Conclusively, our current research provides an insight into the preventive mechanism of Rb1 against DON-induced immune injury in mice and thus, presents a scientific baseline for the therapeutic application of Rb1.
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•Deoxynivalenol (DON) exposure aggravates immune injury, oxidative stress and apoptosis.•Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) alleviates DON-induced immunotoxicity via improving immune function.•Rb1 ameliorates DON-induced oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant defense system.•Rb1 attenuates DON-induced apoptosis via modulating mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.