Gold nanoparticles green-mediated by Descurainia sophia extract for the treatment of ovalbumin-induced asthma in rats

Abstract

This study reveals a sustainable and eco-friendly protocol towards the in situ mediated gold nanoparticles by Descurainia sophia extract (Au NPs), followed by the assessment of its biological and chemical properties. The mediated gold NPs were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, UV–Vis, and TEM. The fabricated Au NPs were found to be in polymorphic shapes and aggregated which possibly was due to dehydration exerted during the sample preparation for SEM analysis. In addition, the particles range size was 10–38 nm. In the in vivo design, four groups of wistar rats were applied; sensitized to ovalbumin, non-sensitized, sensitized and dexamethasone-treated, and gold NPs-treated (5 μg/mL). To induce asthma, 100 mg Al(OH)3 plus 1 mg/kg ovalbumin was administered and rats were exposed to 2 % ovalbumin aerosol. 24 h after the sensitization end, rats were sacrificed. The levels of IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, interleukin 4, IFN-γ, phospholipase A2, immunoglobulin E, total protein and lung pathological changes were determined. The Au NPs amelioration effects on pathological changes, inflammatory and immunological parameters more potent than dexamethasone offers the nanoparticle remedial property in asthma. The Au NPs significantly ameliorated the sensitized rat’s pathological changes. Treatment with gold nanoparticles resulted in reduced IgE, PLA2, TP, and IL-4 levels. A significant rise in IgE, PLA2, TP, and IL-4 concentrations, all lung pathological indices, and a notable reduction in IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was observed.