Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mutagenic food contaminant and hepatotoxic agent that causes harms in extrahepatic tissues due to oxidative stress occurrence via reactive oxygen species production. Quercetin is a common flavonol that considers a potent ROS scavenger via its antioxidant activity. This study investigated quercetin's role against AFB1 induced-hemato-biochemical alterations and oxidative stress. 48 male rats were divided into four groups; rats that received saline, vehicle, AFB1 and AFB1 followed by quercetin on alternative days for 2 weeks. Our results indicated that AFB1 received rats showed a significant decrease in white blood cells and lymphocytes counts and a significant increase in the platelets counts. Alanine and aspartate transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, uric acid, urea and creatinine showed a significant increase in their values. Hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation showed a significant increase while hepatic and renal reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase and catalase showed a significant decrease. Serum tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin 1 beta showed a significant increase. Interestingly, AFB1 and quercetin received rats showed non-significant changes in the values of the previous hemato-biochemical parameters comparing with the control rats, respectively. Generaly, quercctin modulated AFB1 induced-hemato-biochemical alterations and oxidative stress in rats.