Biochemical changes induced in liver and serum of aflatoxin B-1-treated male Wistar rats: Preventive effect of picroliv

Administration of aflatoxin B-1 to rats (2 mg/kg intraperitoneally) caused significant increase in the activities of gamma -glutamyl transpeptidase, 5 '-nucleotidase, acid phosphatase, acid ribonuclease as well as content of l ipid peroxides in liver after six weeks. However, the activities of succina te dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, gl utathione-S-transferase. glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase i n liver were decreased. The levels of glycogen and reduced glutathione were also decreased. There were significant elevations in the levels of serum t ransaminases, phosphatases (acid and alkaline), dehydrogenases (sorbitol, l actate and glutamate) and bilirubin following aflatoxin B-1 administration, Picroliv (25 mg/kg/day orally for six weeks), an iridoid glycoside isolate d from the roots and rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa, significantly prevented the biochemical changes induced by aflatoxin B-1.