Caffeic acid protects against DNA damage, oxidative and inflammatory mediated toxicities, and upregulated caspases activation in the hepatorenal system of rats treated with aflatoxin B1

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) Vol. 207; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: Owumi, Solomon E., Irozuru, Chioma E., Arunsi, Uche O., Oyelere, Adegboyega K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2022
• Subjects: Aflatoxin B1; Apoptosis; Caffeic acid; DNA damage; Hepatorenal toxicity; Oxido-inflammatory stress; Aflatoxin B1; Oxido-inflammatory stress; Hepatorenal toxicity; DNA damage; Caffeic acid; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0041-0101; 1879-3150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.12.021

Aflatoxicosis can induce largescale toxicities in predisposed populations. Food fortification with adequate antioxidant sources may reduce the toxic burden from aflatoxicosis. We examined the individual and combined effect of Caffeic acid (CA) on the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatic and renal injury in male rats. Five experimental rat cohort (n = 6) consisting of the control (2 mL/kg corn oil), AFB1 alone (50 μg/kg), CA alone (40 mg/kg), AFB1+CA1 (50 μg/kg + 20 mg/kg) and AFB1+CA2 (50 μg/kg + 40 mg/kg) were so treated for 28 consecutive days. Upon sacrifices, diagnostic markers of hepatorenal functions, oxidative stress, inflammation, oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid -DNA-damage and apoptosis were analysed. Our results showed that CA reduced AFB1-induced toxicities in rats' liver and kidneys by significantly increasing (p < 0.05) endogenous antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory IL-10 level. Caffeic acid simultaneously reduced hepatic and renal dysfunction biomarkers in the serum, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation levels. Besides, CA diminished reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, inflammatory nitric oxide levels, interleukin-1 β and the activities of xanthine oxidase and myeloperoxidase. Additionally, CA reduced DNA damage and caspase-mediated apoptotic responses and preserved the cytoarchitecture of rats' liver and kidneys treated with AFB1. These data suggest that CA can be used as a food additive to mitigate AFB1-induced toxicity in the examined organs. •Fortification with antioxidant rich food including caffeic acid may reduce aflatoxicosis burden.•Caffeic acid reduced experimental rat liver and kidney dysfunction, biomarkers of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.•Caffeic acid improved rats' endogenous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory response and reduced aflatoxin B1 toxicities.•Caffeic acid reduced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase, and interleukin-1 β levels.•Caffeic acid reduced deoxyribonucleic acid damage, caspases activities and preserve organs cytoarchitecture treated rat.