Evidence Based Phytopharmacological Potential of Herbal Extracts in Post- Ingestion Management of Mycotoxins in Animal Models

Abstract

Aflatoxins and ochratoxins are common mycotoxic food poisons and acute doses are responsible for causing liver and kidney damage and hepatocarcinoma. The strategy for managing mycotoxins has mainly been pre-ingestive. However, few solutions have been proposed for post-ingestion management and likewise there is no antidote for managing the condition. Studies have demonstrated that Saccharomyces cerevisiae and herbal extracts have potential of limiting the damage caused by reactive oxygen species and toxic effects associated with mycotoxins. Further evidence also shows that herbal extracts provides protection to a variety of cancer cell lines associated with mycotoxins. This study therefore examines the probable potential and options of using medicinal herbal extracts, on their own or in combinations with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in the management of mycotoxicosis. A combination of the two has potential to offer a multifunctional approach in the management of post ingested mycotoxins such as aflatoxins and ochratoxins