Suppression of aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxic lesions by crocetin (a natural carotenoid)

The suppressive effects of crocetin (a natural carotenoid) on the hepatotoxic lesions induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into five groups: groups I and II served as normal and solvent control respectively. Group III was given AFB1 (25 micrograms/day/rat) alone; group IV was given crocetin (0.1 mg/day/rat) alone; and group V received both AFB1 and crocetin. Rats received AFB1 and crocetin for 9 and 10 weeks respectively, and were maintained on basal diet for 35 weeks. At the end of the experiment (week 45), the incidence of liver lesions in rats of group V was significantly reduced by approximately 40% compared with group III. There were no liver lesions in rats of groups I, II and IV. A significant protective effect of crocetin on AFB1 hepatotoxicity was shown, as manifested by reduced effects on the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (P less than 0.01-0.001). From our previous results and present data, we suggest that the suppression of crocetin on AFB1 hepatotoxicity in the rats might be due to the defense mechanisms of hepatic tissues that elevated the GSH S-transferase activity and decreased the formation of hepatic AFB1-DNA adducts.