Effect of a composite mixture of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica on aflatoxicosis in rabbits

Abstract

Among the various mycotoxins, aflatoxins have been the subject of most intensive research because of the extremely potent cytotoxic and carcinogenic effects. Mycotoxicosis and its counteraction have received greater attention by researchers in the last few decades. In this context an evaluation study on the protective effect of a herbal composite mixture triphala (containing Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica) on aflatoxicosis in rabbits was carried out.

The study was conducted for a period of two months with twenty four rabbits divided into three groups of eight each. Rice culture containing 27 ppm of aflatoxin was added appropriately to the ration to get a final concentration of 0.5 ppm. Group I was given 0.5 ppm aflatoxin contaminated feed and group II was given combination of triphala (four per cent) and aflatoxin (0.5 ppm ) contaminated diet. Group III was provided with control diet.

There were reduction in body weight gain, Hb, PCV, TLC, lymphocyte count while heterophil count, AST, ALT and ALP levels showed an increase in the toxin fed animals. Addition of triphala at four percent level in the aflatoxin contaminated feed effectively counteracted these changes. The gross and histopathological changes due to aflatoxin were reduced in triphala group. There was widespread vascular changes, extensive necrotic changes, bile duct proliferation, biliary hyperplasia and cholangiocellular carcinoma in the liver and necrotic changes in the kidney of toxin group. These changes were reduced in intensity in triphala group and there was no development of tumors in liver. Regenerative process were well pronounced in the liver and kidney of triphala group. Hence the present study revealed that supplementation of composite mixture of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica at four per cent level could counteract the toxic effects of aflatoxicosis in rabbits.