Protective effects of phenolics rich extract of ginger against Aflatoxin B1-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the predominant mycotoxin contaminant in food and feed, causing oxidative
stress and hepatotoxicity. Ginger phenolics have been reported for its antioxidant potential and
hepatoprotective activity. The present study investigated the protective effects of phenolics rich ginger
extract (GE) against AFB1 induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity, in vitro and in vivo. The phenolic
acid profiles of GE showed 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol as predominant components. Pretreatment of
HepG2 cells with GE significantly inhibited the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS),
DNA strand break, and cytotoxicity induced by AFB1. A comparable effect was observed in in vivo. Male
Wistar rats were orally treated with GE (100 and 250 mg/kg) daily, with the administration of AFB 1
(200 mg/kg) every alternative day for 28 days. Treatment with GE significantly reduced AFB1 induced
toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage. In addition, GE also showed significant hepatoprotective
effect by reducing the lipid peroxidation and by enhancing the antioxidant enzymes activities. These
results combined with liver histopathological observations indicated that GE has potential protective
effect against AFB1 induced hepatotoxicity. Additionally, administration of GE up-regulated Nrf2/HO-1
pathway, which further proved the efficiency of GE to inhibit AFB1 induced hepatotoxicity.