Optimization, Characterization and In Vivo Hepatoprotective Effects of Gold Nanoparticles Biosynthesized by Eryngium bungei Boiss. Hydro-Alcoholic Extract

Abstract

This study aimed to describe an efficient method for optimized synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) by using Eryngium bungei (EB) hydro-alcoholic extract and also to demonstrate its hepatoprotective activity in comparison with a chemically synthesized counterpart in a rat model of acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury. To this end, various parameters were optimized in 12 trials to enhance the yield of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) synthesized at room temperature. The synthesized NPs were characterized by different methods. In hepatoprotective study, effect of pretreatment with these Au NPs at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg in comparison with chemically synthesized Au NPs was evaluated in rats with acetaminophen-induced liver injury. The optimal conditions were HAuCl4 at 1 mM, a reaction time of 4 h with 1:9 ratio of plant extract to HAuCl4 which yielded spherical NPs in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with a size of 53.8 nm in dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum of the Au NPs was relatively similar to the extract that indicated various types of functional groups. Pretreatment with Au NPs ameliorated acetaminophen-induced liver injury based on liver function tests. For oxidative stress parameters and pro inflammatory cytokines, the effect of green synthesized Au NPs was more profound than chemically synthesized NPs. In conclusion, the hydro-alcoholic extract from aerial parts of EB can be successfully used for synthesizing Au NPs. Green synthesized Au NPs show more profound anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects than their chemically synthesized counterpart in a rat model of acute liver injury.