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ORAL PRESENTATION / SÖZLÜ SUNUM

Protective Role of Rifampicin and Boswellia serrata
Against Damage Caused by Aflatoxin B1 Inhibitor

Fatih Ahmet KORKAK Zeliha KESKİN ALKAÇ Gözde ARKALI
1,*
3
2
Sadettin TANYILDIZI Yesari ERÖKSÜZ Gürdal DAĞOĞLU
1
4
1

1 Firat University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
Elazıg, TÜRKIYE
2 Firat University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Elazıg, TÜRKIYE
3 Firat University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiology, Elazıg, TÜRKIYE
4 Firat University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Elazıg, TÜRKIYE

*Correspound Author: fakorkak@firat.edu.tr

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a toxic substance in many tissues, particularly the liver. It is carcinogenic,
mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressive, particularly through its effects on DNA. Rifampicin
(Rif) is an antibiotic that inhibits nucleic acid synthesis and is also an inducer of tissue transport
proteins. In the present study, it was used to reduce the absorption of AFB1, the substrate for these
proteins, and to increase its excretion. Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) has anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant properties. This study aimed to determine the potential therapeutic effects of Rif and BSE
on tissue damage in rats treated with AFB1.
A total of 63 male Sprauge-Dawley rats were used in the study. The animals were divided into
nine groups (n=7): Control, Corn oil, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), Rif, BSE, AFB1, AFB1+Rif,
AFB1+BSE, and AFB1+Rif+BSE. The study duration was seven days, and the animals were
decapitated, and blood and liver tissues were collected. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine levels were determined in the blood. Malondialdehyde
(MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed in liver tissue.
Expression of carrier proteins was measured by Western blot. Additionally, blood and tissue AFB1
levels were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Histopathological analyses
were performed on the collected tissues.
AFB1 was detected in blood and liver tissues analyzed by HPLC. Expression of p-glycoprotein
(P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in liver tissue decreased in the AFB1 group, while
significantly increased in the Rif-treated groups. Tissue AFB1 levels decreased in the groups treated
with both AFB1 and Rif and Rif+BSE due to an increase in these transporter proteins. AFB1 increased
blood AST, ALT, and creatinine levels, while significant improvements were observed in the group
treated with Rif+BSE concurrently with AFB1. MDA levels in liver tissue were observed to increase in
the AFB1-toxicity group, whereas these increased MDA levels were effectively reduced in the Rif+BSE
combined treatment group. Histopathological analysis of liver tissue revealed that AFB1 caused
degeneration, and this degeneration was significantly reduced by Rif, BSE, and Rif+BSE treatments.
As a result, it was concluded that AFB1 showed signs of acute toxicity in the applied dosage
regimen, however, Rif+BSE combined treatments may offer more effective treatment options against
the toxicity caused by AFB1.
Keywords: Aflatoxin B1, P-gp, BCRP, Rifampicin, Boswellia serrata extract.
Acknowledgement: This work was supported by TÜBİTAK project number 221O701.

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