Toxicity and Protective Effects of Biosulforaphane against Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is a major pathogenic fungus producing gliotoxins that act as strong immunosuppressive agents, exposing immunocompetent individuals to fatal infections. In immunocompetent Wistar rats, the toxicity and protective effects of biosulforaphane against A. fumigatus invasion were examined in this work. From soil samples taken from hospital disposal sites, many strains of A. fumigatus were identified and described macroscopically, microscopically, and molecularly. Gliotoxin was extracted from submerged culture in yeast extract liquid medium using solvent extraction, purified, and detected by thin layer chromatography. Biosulforaphane, extracted from fresh cabbage (Brassica oleracea) using solvent and solid-phase extraction, was orally administered (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mL/kg) to rats for three days before oral and nasal challenge with 0.5 mL/kg fungal suspension (10⁸ cells/mL). Protective effects against pathological signs, body weight, organ weights, and organ functions were assessed. The study revealed that A. fumigatus strain DT0402 (AFDT0), strain S10 (AFS10), and strain VIBENF3 (AFVIB) produced gliotoxins. Rats administered biosulforaphane showed significant (p≤0.05) beneficial effects on body weight, organ weights, and clinical indicators, and organ functions. Among the doses, 0.5 mL/kg proved most safe and protective. Thus, biosulforaphane significantly protected against A. fumigatus isolates (AFDT0402, AFS10, AFVIB) and their gliotoxins, with 0.5 mL/kg as the most effective dose.