Hepatoprotective effect of silver nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Rhizophora apiculata

Abstract

Background:

Liver plays a vital role in the elimination of xenobiotics that can induce hepatotoxicity in living organisms.Silver nanoparticles have evolved recently as an alternative in various industries and are used for their biomedical applications.Rhizophora apiculata is a least studied mangrove-based plant that has been used in the traditional medicine of Southeast Asia for its healing properties. It is a well-known fact that the generation of free radicals has been associated with oxidative stress.

Methods:

Hence, in this study we used carbon tetrachloride as a hepatotoxin to induce liver damage. The protective effects of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Rhizophora apiculata on hepatotoxin-induced liver damage in experimental mice were assessed.

Results:

The results of the assessment indicate that silver nanoparticles were effective in protecting the liver from damages induced by carbon tetrachloride.

Conclusion:

Among existing literature, this is the first ever approach for hepatoprotective effect of nanoparticles derived using plant extract from mangrove ecosystem.

Keywords:

• mangroves
• Rhizophora apiculata
• silver nanoparticles
• carbon tetrachloride
• hepatotoxicity

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no 81704169 and 81503306), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (grant no BK20171067) and The Project of Jiangsu Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (grant no FY201803).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.