Synergistic effect ofSacoglottis gabonensis bark extract.

Aflatoxin B1 metabolism was studied using microsomal and cytosolic fractions isolated from weanling male Fischer F344 rats given in drinking water for 7 days an aqueous extract ofSacoglottis gabonensis bark, 0.1% ethanol solution, or a solution containing both extract and ethanolad libitum. Microsomal production of aflatoxin B1-dihydrodiol, aflatoxin Q1, aflatoxin M1, aflatoxin Pi and proteinaflatoxin adduct formation, and cytosolic aflatoxin B1-glutathione conjugation were assayed. Pretreatment with the extract alone or together with ethanol caused significant increases in aflatoxin M1 production as compared to controls given only water, but aflatoxin Q1 production was enhanced only by pretreatment with both extract and ethanol. All the three treatments caused significant reductions in liver glutathione content. The highest aflatoxin B1 metabolising activity as determined by aflatoxin M1 and aflatoxin Q1 production was observed in rats pretreated with both ethanol and the extract, suggesting synergism. The findings suggest that at relatively mild doses,S. gabonensis extract alone or in concert with ethanol may influence response to aflatoxin.