Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Nigella sativa Mitigate Aflatoxin B1 Induced Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64354/j836m824Keywords:
Zinc oxide nanoparticles; Nigella sativa; green synthesis; aflatoxin B1; oxidative stress; DNA damage; comet assay; hepatoprotectionAbstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most dangerous mycotoxins contaminating food and animal feed, causing severe hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and genotoxicity through oxidative-stress mechanisms. The present work aimed to investigate the protective potential of green synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) produced from aqueous Nigella sativa seed extract against AFB1-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. ZnO NPs were characterised by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM, which revealed formation of wurtzite-phase crystalline nanoparticles with average diameter of 28–42 nm. Thirty adult male rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 6): normal control, ZnO NP control (10 mg/kg b.w.), AFB1 alone (250 µg/kg b.w.), AFB1 + low-dose ZnO NPs (5 mg/kg), and AFB1 + high-dose ZnO NPs (10 mg/kg). All therapies were given orally for 28 consecutive days. AFB1 exposure significantly increased serum ALT, AST, ALP, urea and creatinine and decreased total protein and albumin levels. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) rose sharply alongside marked suppression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH). The comet assay demonstrated considerable DNA fragmentation in hepatocytes. Co-treatment with ZnO NPs dosage dependently ameliorated these biochemical abnormalities, reinstated antioxidant defences and minimised DNA damage. The histopathological evaluation was in agreement with biochemical results revealing decreased liver necrosis and inflammatory infiltration in ZnO NP-treated groups. Results showed that biogenic ZnO NPs synthesised from N. sativa extract are a viable chemoprotective approach against AFB1-induced organ damage probably through free-radical scavenging and activation of endogenous antioxidant mechanisms.
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