Abstract:
Background: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a highly toxic mycotoxin, is one of
the contaminants of food items such as corn, rice, nuts, and flour. This
study aimed to evaluate the effect of AFB1 on the histology and
ultrastructure of the submandibular salivary glands (SMSG) of albino
rats and examine the possible therapeutic effect of Rosmarinus
officinalis extract.
Methods: This study used 21 adult male albino rats equally divided
into three groups as follows: Group C (saline-treated control group);
Group A (AFB1 treated group) subjected to intraperitoneal injection of
AFB1 (2 mg/kg) once daily for four weeks; Group R (rosemary-treated
group) subjected to AFB1 as in Group A followed by two weeks of
intraperitoneal injection of Rosmarinus officinalis extract (400mg/kg)
once daily. At the end of the experimental periods, SMSGs were
excised and fixed for histological and ultrastructural examinations.
Results: SMSGs of the AFB1 group presented atrophied serous acini
with numerous cytoplasmic vacuolations; their granular convoluted
tubules, striated ducts and excretory ducts presented signs of
degeneration in their cell lining with the presence of abundant
cytoplasmic vacuolations. In addition, dilated blood vessels engorged
with red blood cells were frequently seen. Ultrastructural findings of
the AFB1 group showed some acinar cells with degenerated
mitochondria presenting loss of cristae and vacuolations as well as
irregular, shrunken nuclei with condensed chromatin. Dilated rough
endoplasmic reticulum were observed in granular convoluted tubules
and striated ducts. The glands of animals that received rosemary
extract almost regained their normal architecture.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that rosemary extract has an
ameliorative effect on the deleterious histological and ultrastructural
changes induced by chronic AFB1 intake in rat SMSGs.
