Evaluation of the antioxidant activities of green synthesized selenium nanoparticles and their conjugated polyethylene glycol (PEG) form in vivo

Abstract

Uncontrolled regulation of oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living organisms might lead to the development of various diseases. Selenium is an element in antioxidant selenoproteins and is used in different forms as a food supplement. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) could show improved activity and less toxicity; their bioactivity, biocompatibility, and binding to targets might be augmented by phytochemicals decorating their surfaces during green synthesis using plant extracts. Herein, the study evaluated the antioxidant activity of Moringa peregrina-mediated SeNPs (MPM-SeNPs) and the PEGylated form (PEG-MPM-SeNPs) in vivo in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress in a mice model. LPS injection caused a reduction in enzyme activity of both oxidative stress biomarkers superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) with an elevation in protein carbonyl content level in blood sera and liver homogenates of treated mice. MPM-SeNPs and PEG-MPM-SeNPs significantly recovered SOD activity in both blood sera and liver homogenates, as well as enhanced the specific activity of CAT in LPS-injected mice. Moreover, they caused a reduction in the carbonyl content in blood sera. Thus, both SeNPs complexes were able to amend the oxidation-induced damage in the body and protect its organs against necrosis and dysfunction.