International Journal of Nanomedicine (May 2020)
Role of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Juice on Chronic Nanotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticle-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats
Abstract
Tarfa Albrahim,1 Mona A Alonazi2 1College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Nutrition, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Tarfa Albrahim Email [email protected]: Nanoparticles are at the forefront of rapidly developing nanotechnology and have gained much attention for their application as an effective drug delivery system and as a mediated therapeutic agent for cancer. However, the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles is still relatively unknown and, therefore, additional study is required in order to elucidate the potential toxicity of these nanoparticles on cells.Materials and Methods: Thus, the following work aimed to investigate the capability of Beta vulgaris (beetroot) water extract (BWE; 200 mg/kg) to protect hepatic tissue following silver nanoparticles (AgNPs; 80 mg/kg; > 100 nm) intoxication in male rats.Results: AgNPs-intoxication elevated the liver function markers – including serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase activities – and decreased serum levels of albumin and total proteins, in addition to disturbing the oxidation homeostasis. This is evidenced by the increased lipid peroxidation, the depleted glutathione, and the suppressed activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. In addition, an apoptotic reaction was observed following AgNPs treatment, as indicated by the up-regulation of p53 and down-regulating Bcl-2 expressions, examined by the immunohistochemistry method. Furthermore, AgNPs exhibited a marked elevation in liver DNA damage that was indicated by an increase in tail length, tail DNA% and tail movement. However, BWE eliminated the biochemical and histological alterations, reflecting its hepatoprotection effect in response to AgNPs.Discussion: Collectively, the present data suggest that BWE could be used following AgNPs as a potential therapeutic intervention to minimize AgNPs-induced liver toxicity.Keywords: silver nanoparticles, Beta vulgaris, oxidative stress, p53 and Bcl-2 expression, hepatotoxicity
