Immuno-enhancement of barely β-glucan or barley extracts on arsenic trioxide-induced immunosuppressed rat model

The present investigation aimed to study the biological effects of barely β-glucan or barley extracts on arsenic trioxide-induced immunosuppression. Fifty-four male albino rats (weighing 100±25 g) were divided into eight groups, each group including six rats. Group 1: PBS was injected intraperitoneally into the rats, while saline was given orally (negative control). Groups 2–8 received daily intraperitoneal injections of As 2 O 3 (5 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Group 2 serves as a positive control. The rats in groups 3, 4, and 5 were received daily doses of β-glucan extracts of 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg bw/day, respectively, with ATO (arsenic trioxide). Groups 6, 7, and 8 were given barley extract at doses of 0.7, 1.4, and 2.8 g/kg bw/day, respectively, with ATO. At the end of the experiment, all of the rats were slaughtered for biochemical, hematological, and histopathological analysis. The obtained results revealed that barley β-glucan and barley extracts increased CAT and GPx activity while lowering MDA levels in the spleen tissue of rats. It also improved haematological and histopathological changes caused by arsenic trioxide. The levels of IgG and IgM in the groups treated with barley β-glucan extract were considerably greater than those in the groups treated with barley extract. The cytokine levels, hepatic and renal biomarker markers showed affectation results due to treatment with arsenic trioxide. Our findings show that barley extracts and barely β-glucan extracts could be employed as a component of functional foods to boost immunity.