Hybrid Material Based on <i>Vaccinium myrtillus</i> L. Extract and Gold Nanoparticles Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Hepatic Stellate Cells Exposed to TGF-β
Mara Filip,
Ioana Baldea,
Luminita David,
Bianca Moldovan,
Gabriel Cristian Flontas,
Sergiu Macavei,
Dana Maria Muntean,
Nicoleta Decea,
Adrian Bogdan Tigu,
Simona Valeria Clichici
Affiliations
Mara Filip
Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ioana Baldea
Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Luminita David
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering “Babes-Bolyai” University, 11 Arany Janos Street, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Bianca Moldovan
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering “Babes-Bolyai” University, 11 Arany Janos Street, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Gabriel Cristian Flontas
Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Sergiu Macavei
National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Donath Street, No. 67-103, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Dana Maria Muntean
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Nicoleta Decea
Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Adrian Bogdan Tigu
Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 4 Louis Pasteur Street, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Simona Valeria Clichici
Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
(1) Background: The study aimed to investigate the impact of gold nanoparticles capped with Cornus sanguinea (NPCS) and mixed with a fruit extract (Vaccinum myrtillus L.—VL) on human hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) exposed to TGF-β. (2) Methods: NPCS were characterized by UV-Vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The cytotoxic effects of VL, NPCS and of the hybrid compounds obtained by mixing the two components in variable proportions (NPCS-VL) were assessed. LDH activity, MDA levels, secretion of inflammation markers, the expression of fibrogenesis markers and collagen I synthesis were estimated after treating the cells with a mixture of 25:25 μg/mL NPCS and VL. (3) Results: TEM analysis showed that NPCS had spherical morphology and homogenous distribution, while their formation and elemental composition were confirmed by XRD and EDX analysis. TGF-β increased cell membrane damage as well as secretion of IL-1β, IL-1α and TLR4. It also amplified the expression of α-SMA and type III collagen and induced collagen I deposition. NPCS administration reduced the inflammation caused by TGF-β and downregulated α-SMA expression. VL diminished LDH activity and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. The NPCS-VL mixture maintained IL-1β, IL-1α, TLR4 and LDH at low levels after TGF-β exposure, but it enhanced collagen III expression. (4) Conclusions: The mixture of NPCS and VL improved cell membrane damage and inflammation triggered by TGF-β and mitigated collagen I deposition, but it increased the expression of collagen III, suggestive of a fibrogenetic effect of the hybrid material.
