Investigation on the Protective Effect of ?-Mannan against the DNA Damage Induced by Aflatoxin B1 in Mouse Hepatocytes

Aflatoxin B1 is a contaminant of agricultural and dairy products that can berelated to mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. In this report we explore the capacity of ?-mannan (Man) to reduce the DNA damage induced by AFB1 in mouse hepatocytes. Forthis purpose we applied the comet assay to groups of animals which were firstadministered Man (100, 400 and 700 mg/kg, respectively) and 20 min later 1.0 mg/kg ofAFB1. Liver cells were obtained at 4, 10, and 16 h after the chemical administration andexamined. The results showed no protection of the damage induced by AFB1 with thelow dose of the polysaccharide, but they did reveal antigenotoxic activity exerted by thetwo high doses. In addition, we induced a co-crystallization between both compounds,determined their fusion points and analyzed the molecules by UV spectroscopy. Theobtained data suggested the formation of a supramolecular complex between AFB1and Man.