Functional impairment of rat Kupffer cells induced by aflatoxin B1 and its metabolites

Abstract Contamination of food with mycotoxins is a major health problem. Impairment of several immune functions has been repeatedly reported in animals fed with contaminated fodder. Since the liver is a major target of toxicity by aflatoxins, the effects of aflatoxins B1, and its hepatic metabolites Q₁ and M₁ on Kupffer cell function was investigated in vitro. Aflatoxin B₁ induced significant ( P < 0.05) inhibition of phagocytosis, intracellular killing of Candida albicans , and intrinsic anti-Herpes virus activity at concentrations as low as 0.01 pg ml⁻¹. Aflatoxin Q₁ and M₁ had similar effects on phagocytosis and microbicidal activity, but were two- to ten-fold less potent than aflatoxin B₁.     

A novel combination of the essential oils of Cinnamomum camphora and Alpinia galanga in checking aflatoxin B1 production by a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus

The growth of a toxigenic strain (Saktiman 3Nst) of Aspergillus flavus decreased progressively with increasing concentration of essential oils from leaves of Cinnamomum camphora and rhizome of Alpinia galanga incorporated into SMKY liquid medium. The oils significantly arrested aflatoxin B₁ elaboration by A. flavus. The oil of C. camphora completely checked aflatoxin B₁ elaboration at 750 ppm (mg/L) while that of A. galanga showed complete inhibition at 500 ppm only. The oil combination of C. camphora and A. galanga showed more efficacy than the individual oils showing complete inhibition of AFB₁ production even at 250 ppm.