Immunomodulatory Effect of Dietary Turmeric against Aflatoxins in Mice: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Mycotoxins contribute to serious wide range of adverse health concerns, especially on the immune system. The current research aimed to investigate the possible ameliorative effect of dietary turmeric on aflatoxicosis induced immune impairments in Albino mice. Twenty-eight female albino mice 25-27 g were divided into 4 groups. Group I, is the control group received a basal diet. Group II, received a basal diet with 5% turmeric.  Group III, were given basal diet with added aflatoxins (5 µg/kg). Group IV, co-administered aflatoxins and turmeric at the same previous doses. All treatments continued for 1 month. Feed efficiency ratio (FER), weight gain, food intake, thymus weights as well as spleen relative weights were recorded. The serum levels of super oxide dismutase (SOD), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were estimated. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry of TNF-α of thymus and spleen were performed. Aflatoxins significantly (P<0.05) reduced weight gain, FER and spleen weight than control while food intake and thymus relative weight were non-significantly altered. Serum MDA and IL-6 were significantly (P<0.05) increased in afla-intoxicated group than control. Meanwhile, SOD was significantly (P<0.0) depleted than control. Aflatoxins deteriorated splenic architecture, as presented by depleted lymphoid follicles, lymphocytopenia as well as edema. The co-administration of turmeric with aflatoxins significantly ameliorated the aflatoxins induced pro-inflammation. Moreover, turmeric possesses antioxidant effect that ameliorated aflatoxins induced immune impairments.