Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Effects of Aflatoxin-B1 and Aged Garlic Extract in Tumor Balb/c Mice

Background:  AFB1, a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus flavus, is a hepatocarcinogen in humans and can invade tumor cells. If humans receive a little dosage of AFB1daily in a long time, it will be carcinoma. Among all types of cancers, breast cancer has a top position in the woman's death. The increasing speed of cancer research cannot catch up with breast cancer growth and many people suffer from it, for this reason, cancer control is a major health issue. There are several cancer therapies, but all of them has a specific problem, therefore it is necessary to find a new method for cancer therapy that at first kill tumor cells in a specific manner. Garlic has a wide range of biological activities that have been verified in vitro and in vivo. Our previous studies demonstrated that Aged garlic has enriched immunostimulator fractions and reduced immunosuppressor fractions. Therefore, in this study, we used from aged garlic extract instead of fresh garlic extract.

Method: First of all, garlic extracted by the Mantis method and AFB1 separated of Aspergillus flavus (PTCC 5004) by HPLC and DTH test was carried out on normal female mice sensitized by sheep RBC to specify suitable AGE dosage, which can be stimulated the immune system. Subsequent experiments were carried out on tumor-bearing Balb/c mice to estimate the effects of AGE and AFB1 on number Treg cell and to determine the ratio of IL-4 and IF-γ. Briefly, 10µ/kg/day of AFB1and AGE diluents were administered for 4 consecutive days to group 1: AFB1, 2: control of tumor, 3: AGE+AFB1and 4: AGE via Intra Peritoneal (IP) route, respectively. Mice were sacrificed and splenocytes harvested and the percentage of splenic T-reg cells were measured by flow cytometry analysis. So the ratio of IL-4 and IF-γ determined to ELISA methods.

Result: According to the findings, tumor size increase in the group receiving AFB1 and decrease in the group receiving AGE. So mouse treated with an AGE increased the level of IFN-γ and decreased the level of IL-4, but AFB1 works the opposite of AGE to the control group. (P-value<0.05) AFB1 could increase the Treg cells percentage in the spleen (p-value<0.05).

Conclusion: In general, these results introduce some antitumor properties of AGE and tumorogenic properties of AFB1invivo that may open up new insights into the development of more effective antitumor agents.

Author(s):

Mohaddeseh Larypoor*

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