Protective effect of Crocin against zearalenone-induced oxidative stress in liver and kidney of Balb/c mice.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin from Fusarium species commonly found in many food commodities and known to cause reproductive disorders. Several studies have shown that ZEN is hematotoxic and hepatotoxic and causes several alterations of immunological parameters. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Crocin (CRO), a natural carotenoid, against ZEN-induced toxicity in both renal and hepatic tissues of Balb/c mice. We demonstrated that ZEN (40 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) induced oxidative stress in both kidney and liver as monitored by measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the protein carbonyl generation, the catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, and the expression of the heat shock proteins (Hsp70). However, combined treatment of ZEN with different doses of CRO (50, 100, and 250 mg/kg b.w.) significantly reduced ZEN-induced alterations in all tested oxidative stress markers. It could be concluded that CRO was effective in the protection against ZEN-induced toxicity in the liver and kidney of Balb/c mice.