The Effect of Echinacea Purpurea L. (Eastern Purple Coneflower) Essential Oil on Hematological Parameters and Gut Microbial Population of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) With Aflatoxicosis

Background: Aflatoxin is one of the most important fungal toxins with documented hepatotoxic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressive properties. This mycotoxin is mainly produced by species of the genus Aspergillus in feed. Therefore, the application of compounds, which prevent complications of aflatoxins without losing feed quality, is highly beneficial. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of the Echinacea purpurea L. essential oils on the regulation of the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract and some blood factors of aflatoxin-fed zebrafish. Methods: Zebrafish were divided into four groups of ۴۵ fish in three replicates: control (G۱); G۲, fish fed with feed containing ۵۰۰ µg/kg E. purpurea L. essential oils; G۳, fish fed with feed containing ۵۰۰ µg/kg E. purpurea L. essential oil and ۳ ppm aflatoxin B۱(AFB۱); and G۴, fish fed with feed containing ۳ ppm AFB۱. The fish were fed with diets for ۶۰ days. After this period, they were euthanized, blood was collected from the tail vein, and blood smears were prepared. Fish hepatopancreas were used to measure alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes with an auto-analyzer. Also, intestinal contents were cultured to evaluate microbial population. Results: Results showed that liver enzymes increased in the aflatoxin group (P<۰.۰۵), and concurrent use of the essential oil along with AFB۱ reduced the liver enzymes compared with the AFB۱-treated group. Moreover, AFB۱ could convert the microbial population to pathogens. Differential blood counts in the G۲ and G۳ groups showed an increase in the percentages of neutrophils and thrombocytes. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, E. purpurea L. essential oils could reduce the adverse effects of chronic contamination with AFB۱ in zebrafish. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to better understand the immunological function of E. purpurea L. in zebrafish and its mechanism of action against AFB۱.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aflatoxin B۱ ، Echinacea purpurea L. essential oils ، Intestinal microbes ، liver enzymes ، Zebrafish (Danio rerio) ، Blood cells