Efficacy of encapsulated phytogenic compounds from fennel, clove, and ajowan in alleviating oxidative stress in mice on a zearalenone-contaminated diet

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin in contaminated animal feed that poses health risks to livestock and potentially humans. This study investigates the protective and antioxidant effects of microcapsules containing essential oils of Fennel, Clove, and Ajowan (MLFCA) against oxidative stress induced by ZEA. The oils were mixed in a 1:1:1 ratio and encapsulated via spray-drying. The MLFCA’s physicochemical properties, including particle size and morphology, were characterized. Twenty-four mice were divided into four groups: a control, a ZEA-only group, and two groups receiving a ZEA-contaminated diet supplemented with MLFCA at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight. After 35 days, the mice were euthanized, and various parameters were assessed to evaluate the MLFCA’s effectiveness in reducing ZEA toxicity. Mice treated with ZEA showed increased liver enzymes. In contrast, treatment with MLFCA led to improved weight gain and normalized liver enzymes. Morphometric analysis of ileum tissue showed better structural integrity in mice receiving 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of encapsulated compounds compared to the ZEA-only group. Gene expression analysis revealed that phytogenic compounds mitigated the downregulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) from ZEA exposure. These findings suggest that phytogenic compounds from Fennel, Clove, and Ajowan have strong antioxidant properties, alleviating oxidative stress caused by ZEA.