## 4 Discussion  
It is evident from the results that the aqueous extracts of _O. dhofarense_, _H. bacciferum_, and _Z. multiiflora_ effectively degraded AFB1 (above 90%) in vitro following a 72 h incubation at 37 \({}^{\circ}\)C. Additionally, the aqueous extracts of _Lavandula dhofarensis subsp. ayunensis_, _Lavandula subunda_, _Salvia hillcoating_, _Tecomella undulata_, _Eplendra foliata_, and _Kleinia adora_ demonstrated the capability to degrade over 80% of AFB1. The differences in the AFB1 detoxification efficacy of plant extracts may be attributed to variations in their chemical composition. Several researchers have demonstrated the aflatoxin detoxification abilities of medicinal plants under in vitro conditions [17; 18; 19; 22; 23; 27; 28; 29]. [PERSON] et al. [30] found that seed extracts of _Tachysperum annuli_ could degrade 80% of aflatoxin. [PERSON] et al. [17]  
Figure 15: Histological changes in hepatic tissue of mice treated with AFB1 and _Heliotropium bacterium_, _Ocimum dhofarense_, and _Zataria multiiflora_ extracts. demonstrated that _T. ammi_ seed extract resulted in more than 90% degradation of aflatoxin G1. [PERSON] et al. [22] reported that _Adhatoda vasica_ leaf extract could detoxify AFB1 up to 98%. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [21] found that _Barleria lupulina_ leaf extract could degrade aflat and the percentages of degradation of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 were 61.1%, 71.4%, 94.4%, and 58.8%, respectively. [PERSON] et al. [19] found that aqueous leaf extracts of _Oximum basilicum_ could degrade up to 90.4% of AFB1 and up to 88.6% of AFB2. The leaves of _H. baciferum_ have traditionally been used to treat skin disorders [31]. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of _H. baciferum_ have been reported [32]. Many pyrrolidine alkaloids, such as heliotrine, europine, heleurine, and supine have been characterized in _H. baciferum_[33; 34; 35]. _Z. multilora_ is an aromatic perennial shrub and is often used as a flavoring component in a wide variety of dishes. Several studies have reported its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomododulatory properties [36; 37; 38]. The antifungal properties of _Z. multilora_ essential oil and its effects on the growth of _A. flavus_ and aflatoxin production have been documented [39]. _Oximum_ sp. is a well-known medicinal herb and has antidiabetic and antioxidant properties [40; 41]. The leaves of _Oximum_ sp. contain triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins [42]. _O. sanctum_ essential oil was reported to suppress the growth of _A. flavus_ and the production of AFB1 [43; 44]. Furthermore, the aflatoxin detoxification properties of _O. basilicum_[19] and _O. tenuniform_[18] extracts have been reported. However, little is known about the aflatoxin detoxification potential of aqueous extract from _O. dhofarense_. [PERSON] et al. [45] showed the detoxification of AFB1 by _O. dhofarense_, _H. baciferum_, and _Z. multilora_ essential oils. This is the first report of AFB1 detoxification by the aqueous extracts of these three medicinal plants in Oman. The degradation of AFB1 upon treatment with HE, OE, and ZE was confirmed by LC/MS analysis. The mass spectrum of control (untreated) AFB1 showed a molecular ion peak at \(m/z\,313\), which is unique to AFB1 [46], whereas the level of AFB1 (\(m/z\,313\)) was greatly reduced and fragmented AFB1 products, viz., \(m/z\,345.9\), 369.3, 303.8, 351.2, 341.0, and 321.2, appeared after treatment with the plant extracts. The product ions observed in the mass spectra indicate structural changes in AFB1 molecules during the degradation process. For example, the addition of a hydroxyl group to the furan ring results in a product at \(m/z\,345\) (C\({}_{17}\)H\({}_{12}\)O\({}_{8}\)), while the addition of H\({}_{8}\)O\({}_{3}\) to AFB1 forms \(m/z\,369\), and the elimination of CH\({}_{2}\) from AFB1 forms \(m/z\,303\). Furthermore, the addition of two hydroxyl groups to AFB1 forms \(m/z\,351\) (C\({}_{17}\)H\({}_{18}\)O\({}_{8}\)), which further degrades to \(m/z\,321\).