Hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging actions of quercetin nanoparticles on aflatoxin B1-induced liver damage: in vitro/in vivo studies

Abstract

The objective of present study was in vitro and in vivo evaluation of hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Quercetin nanoparticles (Q NPs) against toxicity induced by aflatoxin B1. The Q NPs were prepared using precipitation method. Hepatocytes were prepared by the method of collagenase enzyme perfusion via portal vein. The NPs were characterized in terms of size and morphology using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The level of parameters, such as cell death, ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular glutathione (GSH) content, in the aflatoxin B1-treated and non-treated hepatocytes were determined and the mentioned markers were assessed in the presence of Q NPs. The prepared NPs showed particle size of 52.70 nm with polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.18. In contrast to free Q, the administration of Q NPs more efficiently decreased the rate of ROS formation, lipid peroxidation and improved cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential and glutathione level and showed a significant hepatoprotective efiect by reducing levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. It is suggested that the Q NPs is a promising candidate for drug delivery, which enhances the hepatoprotective effect of Q against the cytotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1.

Keywords:

• Quercetin nanoparticle
• hepatotoxicity
• oxidative stress
• antioxidant activity

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Drug Applied Research Centre of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, for providing technical facilities. The authors are also thankful to the University’s “Students’ Research Committee” for providing technical supports to the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.