Evaluation of the Protective Effects of Adsorbent Materials and Ethanolic Herbal Extracts against Aflatoxins Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats: Histological, Morphometric and Immunohistochemical Study

Aflatoxins have potent toxic effects on various organs mainly liver. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of certain adsorbent materials (halloysite and chitosan) and ethanolic herbal extracts, Moringa olifera and Thymus vulgaris extracts, on the aflatoxin-induced hepatotoxicity. 30 adult rats were divided into 6 groups: control negative group (GI), rats received aflatoxins (GII), rats received aflatoxins and halloysite(GIII), rats given aflatoxins and chitosan (GIV),rats received aflatoxins and ethanolic extract of Moringa olifera (GV) and rats received aflatoxins and ethanolic extract of Thymus vulgaris (GVI). Specific histo-morphometric analyses were done for HE stained hepatic tissues, Masson’s trichrome and immunohistochemistry. The main pathological lesions were degenerative changes and necrosis especially in GII. Morphometric analysis revealed the presence of a clear focal cytoplasmic acidophilia (red color) in GII and being significantly decreased in GIII, GIV, GV and GVI. A significant decrease in nuclear chromatin area percentages (blue color) could be found in GII (3.4%), GV (4.0%) and GVI (5.1%) compared to the control negative group (6.5%). Meanwhile, GIII and GIV revealed a significant improvement in nuclear chromatin area percentage compared to GII. Quantitative analysis of integrated intensities of positive immunohistochemical reactions of caspase-3 and TNF-α showed the highest intensities aflatoxin-fed group (GII). In other treated groups, a significant decrease in caspase-3 and TNF-α expression was detected. In conclusion, the present study showed the protective effect on the use of adsorbent materials and the ethanolic extracts of Moringa Olifera and Thymus vulgrais for mitigating the deleterious effects of hepatotoxicity induced by aflatoxins.