Extract-mediated biosynthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles: Exploring their protective effect against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in rat testis

Abstract

The biosynthesis method is essential for minimizing toxic by-products caused by conventional nanoparticle synthesis. Adding a surface biological coating to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) makes them durable, adaptable, and cost-effective. Herein, Nasturtium officinale leaf extract was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent. UV–vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and Zeta potential methods were employed to assess the nanoparticles' formation, crystallinity, size, shape, and surface charge properties. Spherical AuNPs were produced with an average size of 64 nm and demonstrated dose-dependent DPPH scavenging property. To achieve the non-toxic dose of the AuNPs, the MTT assay and AO/PI were performed on the rat bone marrow cells. The co-administration of AuNPs and cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally prevented testicular damages in male rats. In cyclophosphamide-induced gonadotoxicity, the AuNPs' cytoprotective effect was depicted by its reversal of hormonal and morphological alterations toward normality. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was accomplished on apoptotic genes' expression (caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, Bcl2) to confirm that the biosynthesized nanoparticles could act as a fascinating antioxidant and exert protective effects against apoptosis. These positive results can provide a rational and potential source for a novel conjugation system of chemotherapy drugs with AuNPs in cancer treatment with fewer side effects.