Artichoke Leaf Extract-Mediated Neuroprotection against Effects of Aflatoxin in Male Rats

Attenuation of adverse effects of aflatoxin (AFB(1)) in brains of B(1) rats by extracts of leaves of artichoke was studied. The active ingredients in extracts of leaves of artichoke, Cynara scolymus L., were determined by HPLC analysis. In the 42-day experiment, rats were exposed to either sterile water, 4% DMSO, 100 mg artichoke leaf extract/kg body mass, 72 μg aflatoxin B(1)/kg body mass, or AFB(1) plus artichoke leaf extract. Neurotoxicity of AFB(1) was determined by an increase in profile of lipids, augmentation of plasmatic glucose and concentrations of insulin, oxidative stress, increased activities of cholinergic enzymes, and a decrease in activities of several antioxidant enzymes and pathological changes in brain tissue. Extracts of artichoke leaf significantly reduced adverse effects caused by AFB(1), rescuing most of the parameters to values similar to unexposed controls, which demonstrated that adverse, neurotoxic effects caused by aflatoxin B(1) could be significantly reduced by simultaneous dietary supplementation with artichoke leaf extract, which itself is not toxic.