Evaluation of Green Synthesis (<i>Withania somnifera</i>) of Selenium Nanoparticles to Reduce Sperm DNA Fragmentation Diabetic Mice Induced with Streptozotocin

Abstract

Given the promising good future of selenium nanoparticles in the modern field of health, selenium nanoparticles have played an important role in increasing sperm efficacy and antioxidant defense mechanisms. In the present study, we synthesized the selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) in a safe and harmless medical manner from the aqueous extract of Withania somnifera roots. The formation of Se NPs was confirmed using different techniques of spectroscopy. The results showed a broad absorption peak of up to 622 nm of wavelength. With clumps of NPs forming what looks like a porous structure, excellent uniform spherical shape of Se NPs and distribution behavior with the least aggregation, it appears as an average single particle size of around 22 nm. Secondly, we evaluated their potential improvement functions on the antioxidant enzyme and DNA damage of sperm induced by STZ-induced diabetes in mice. Additionally, antioxidant drugs and natural male cell therapy were also studied. Fifty male experimental mice with an average weight (23–30 kg) were divided into five groups and fed once daily with IP, streptozotocin, metformin, streptozotocin with Se NPs and later streptozotocin with Se NPs for 35 days. Se NPs treatment increased antioxidant enzyme activities and improved sperm quality in STZ-induced diabetic mice by stabilizing the level of reactive oxygen species. Green synthesis appears to be a safe method for producing selenium nanoparticles, and Se NPs are more beneficial than inorganic and organic selenium.

Keywords

• green synthesis
• selenium nanoparticles
• spectroscopies characterizations
• comet assay
• DNA fragmentation