Antagonism of Cyanamide-3-O-glucoside and protocatechuic acid on Aflatoxin B1-induced toxicity in zebrafish larva (Danio rerio)

The zebrafish model was used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and its metabolite protocatechuic acid (PCA) against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. In this study, zebrafish larvae were cultured for 3 days post fertilization (dpf) and then induced with AFB1. After induced 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, and 24 h, 5 μg/mL C3G/PCA was added and then co-cultured to 5 dpf, respectively. The experiments showed that C3G/PCA suppressed AFB1-induced zebrafish liver atrophy and delayed the absorption of the yolk sac. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death were also significantly decreased by 5 μg/mL C3G/PCA (P ˂ 0.05). C3G/PCA significantly reduced hepatic biomarkers in the serum contents (P ˂ 0.05). Besides, glutathione (GSH) contents were significantly upregulated, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly elevated in zebrafish (P ˂ 0.05). The addition of 5 μg/mL C3G/PCA was capable of reducing the apoptotic levels of caspase-9 and caspase-3 after 100 ng/mL AFB1 intoxication. In conclusion, these results suggested that C3G and its metabolite PCA might antagonize the hepatotoxicity of AFB1, reduce oxidative damage and inhibit cell death.