MSc. Paweł Grychnik, under the supervision of Prof. Brygida Ślaska, is conducting a project titled “Molecular Analysis of Hepatoprotective Effects of Medicinal Herbs in Combating Liver Dysfunctions Induced by Aflatoxin B1 in a Porcine Model.”

The main goal of the project is to assess, at a molecular level, the protective impact of selected medicinal herbs in preventing dysfunctions in various organs caused by Aflatoxin B1. Aflatoxins are toxic mycotoxins that can contaminate food and pose a threat to both animals and humans. The project assumes that selected medicinal herbs (Andrographis paniculata, Silybum Marianum, and Curcuma Longa) may have a protective effect and can help reduce the negative effects of aflatoxins on the model animal – pigs.

Aflatoxin B1 can be found in animal feed, including pig feed, and has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. By studying the impact of aflatoxins on pigs, we can gain a better understanding of the effects of these substances on their organism.

The project scope includes: collecting biological material, isolating DNA and RNA, analyzing mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) for copy number and potential sequence changes, and processing the obtained data from molecular analyses using bioinformatic techniques.