Effect of Herbal Mycotoxin Binders in Amelioration of Induced Mycotoxicosis in White Leghorn Laying Hens

Efficacy of herbal mycotoxin binders in ameliorating induced mycotoxicosis was evaluated in white leghorn laying hens. Birds were randomly divided into six groups containing 15 birds in each group. Group I was served as control fed with basal diet, group II birds were fed with aflatoxins and ochratoxin A at 100 ppb each. Group III, IV, V and VI birds were fed with aflatoxins and ochratoxin A at 100ppb each and herbal mycotoxin binders Vilocym®, Toxiroak®,Vilocym-Z® in feed at 1 kg/tonne and AV/LBP/20® at 1 ml/litre in drinking water respectively for 10 weeks. The cultured rice and wheat samples were screened for presence of mycotoxins by LC-MS/MS method. Aflatoxins concentration in cultured rice sample was 826 ppb. Ochratoxin A concentration in cultured wheat sample was 8990 ppb. The hematological parametes viz., Hb, TEC, PCV showed signmificant decreased level in (Group II, III, IV, V and VI) compared to their respective control group. Similarly biochemical parameters viz., aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase showed significantly decreased level in treatred groups (Group II, III, IV, V and VI) compared to their respective control group. Serum albumin and serum total protein level significantly decreased in treatred groups (Group II, III, IV, V and VI) compared to their respective control group(Group I). Histopathology of Group II birds revealed toxic effects on liver and kidney. Supplementation of herbal mycotoxin binders in mycotoxicated feed showed improvement in all the parameters indicating that herbal mycotoxin binders reduce the severity of toxicity.Keywords: White leghorn laying hens Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus ochraceous Aflatoxins & ochratoxin A Herbal mycotoxin binder

Studies on the Luteolytic, Oestrogenic and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone like activity of Plant Rhaphidophora Pertusa (Roxb.)

The phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological feature of plant Rhaphidophora pertusa (Roxb.) was done. Phytosteroids, flavonoids, tannins and glucosides were detected in the plant extracts. In cross-bred (Zebu X Holstein-Friesian or Jersey) dairy cows, subsequent to prostaglandin (PG) induced oestrus, to each group (n = 4), cloprostenol (PG control) 100$_{\mu}$ g i.m. on day 10, the rice gruel (vehicle) was fed on day 10 or the fresh stem (1 kg/animal/day) in rice gruel on day 9, or days 9 and 10, or days 9–11 of the oestrous cycle. Each group received subcutaneously either 5% gum acacia suspension or the plant ethyl acetate or methanol extract (1 g in gum acacia) on days 8 (to bannur ewes) or 10 (to dairy cows) of the oestrous cycle. In PG control cows or ewes, there was induction of oestrus in 48 h and a fall in serum progesterone concentration. The feeding of fresh stem in the rice gruel or the s.c. administration of the plant extract did not induce oestrus or significantly (P > 0.05) alter the serum progesterone, bilirubin, calcium, creatinine, phosphorus, magnesium and glucose concentrations or the total erythrocyte and leucocyte count, differential leucocyte count and haemoglobin concentration. The plant did not cause any toxicity in the cow or ewe. In immature rats, the aqueous or methanol (hot or cold) extract did not cause any follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-like activity. The methanol extract increased the uterine weight in ovariectomised rats. This suggested the presence of oestrogenic activity in the plant. In conclusion, the present study revealed the presence of oestrogenic activity in the plant and the absence of luteolytic or FSH-like or toxic activity

Organ directed toxicity of halquinol in a repeated dose 28 day oral toxicity study in female rats

Objective : The study was undertaken to assess the organ directed toxicity of halquinol in female wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods : Halquinol was administered orally by gavage at the dose of 0 (control), 150 (low), 450 (intermediate) and 1000 (high) mg/kg body weight daily for a period of 28 days to four groups of rats (n=6). Each rat was weighed at the beginning and at weekly intervals thereafter till the end of the study. Blood and serum samples were analyzed on Day 0, 14 and 28 for haematological parameters viz, Hb, Hct, TEC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, TLC and DLC and serum biochemical parameters viz, ALP, ALT, AST, TSP, TA, BUN and Creatinine respectively. At the end of the study organs were weighed and organ to body weight ratios were calculated. The representative tissue samples were processed for histopathological examination. Results : The body weight in the intermediate and high dose group was significantly (P< 0.01) lower than the control group. The Hb, TEC and MCHC decreased significantly (P< 0.01) whereas MCV increased significantly (P< 0.01) in high dose group. Serum biochemical parameters viz, ALP, ALT, BUN and creatinine significantly (P< 0.01) increased in intermediate and high dose groups. Organ to body weight ratio in case of liver and kidney was also significantly (P< 0.01) higher in high dose group. Histopathology of liver and kidney from intermediate and high dose groups revealed marked pathological alterations. Conclusion : From the present study it was concluded that at intermediate and high dose, halquinol was hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic in female rats