Lectin coated MgO nanoparticle: its toxicity, antileishmanial activity, and macrophage activation

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate toxicity of uncoated magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs), MgO NPs coated with Peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin, and PNA alone on the promastigotes of Leishmania major (L. major) and macrophages of BALB/c mice. On the other hand, antileishmanial property of uncoated MgO NPs, lectin coated MgO NPs, and PNA lectin alone was evaluated, and also macrophage activation was investigated after treatment with these materials by measurement of nitrite, H₂O₂, and some interleukins. This study showed that PNA lectin and lectin coated MgO NPs had approximately no toxicity on L. major and macrophages, but some toxic effects were observed for uncoated MgO NPs, especially at concentration of 500 µg/mL. Interestingly, lectin coated MgO NPs had the highest antileishmanial activity and macrophage activation, compared with uncoated MgO NPs and PNA lectin.

• Antileishmanial activity
• lectin
• MgO nanoparticle
• toxicity

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the laboratory staff of the Yazd Pajoohesh Medical lab, and Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.