title: Crocin protects the liver and kidney from patulin-induced apoptosis in vivo.
abstract: Patulin (PAT) is a mycotoxin mainly produced by Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Bissochlamys. Given the high risk associated with this mycotoxin, its potential effects have been investigated by many studies. It is known to be teratogenic, mutagenic, and genotoxic, and it has been shown to induce damages in several organs in experimental animals. Our aim was to investigate the preventive effect against PAT-induced apoptosis in vivo using natural carotenoid, Crocin (CRO). Mice were divided into six groups: a control group, a "PAT alone" group, a "CRO alone" group, and a "PAT plus CRO" groups (pre-treatment conditions). Our results showed that CRO restored the normal levels of biochemical parameters in the liver and kidney. The analysis of the protein expression in these organs revealed that PAT-induced toxicity promotes the induction of apoptosis via the increase in P53, Bax, and cytochrome C and the decrease in Bcl2 expressions. We also found that PAT triggered caspase 3 activation and DNA fragmentation. However, pre-treatment with CRO demonstrated a reduction in the induction of apoptosis via the regulation of all tested biomarkers demonstrating that CRO is effective in the protection against PAT hazards. This could be relevant, particularly with the emergent demand for natural products which may counteract the detrimental toxic effects and therefore prevents multiple human diseases.
authors: Laboratory for Research on Biologically Compatible Compounds, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Rue Avicenne, 5019, Monastir, Tunisia.|Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Carthage University, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Manel
authors: M
authors: Boussabbeh
authors: Laboratory for Research on Biologically Compatible Compounds, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Rue Avicenne, 5019, Monastir, Tunisia.|Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Carthage University, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Intidhar
authors: I
authors: Ben Salem
authors: Laboratory for Research on Biologically Compatible Compounds, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Rue Avicenne, 5019, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors: Faicel
authors: F
authors: Belguesmi
authors: Laboratory of Biochemistry-Toxicology, Monastir University Hospital, Monaster, Tunisia.
authors: Fadwa
authors: F
authors: Neffati
authors: Laboratory of Biochemistry-Toxicology, Monastir University Hospital, Monaster, Tunisia.
authors: Mohamed Fadhel
authors: MF
authors: Najjar
authors: Laboratory for Research on Biologically Compatible Compounds, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Rue Avicenne, 5019, Monastir, Tunisia. salwaabid@yahoo.fr.
authors: Salwa
authors: S
authors: Abid-Essefi
authors: Laboratory for Research on Biologically Compatible Compounds, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Rue Avicenne, 5019, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors: Hassen
authors: H
authors: Bacha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D010365:Patulin / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D009153:Mutagens; D002338:Carotenoids; C029036:crocin; D010365:Patulin
keywords: Apoptosis; Caspase 3; Crocin; DNA fragmentation; P53; Patulin