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Nanotoxicological investigations of cocoa pod husk extract-mediated silver nanoparticles in selected tissues of albino rats

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Abstract

Objective

The applications of silver nanoparticles in household and biomedical products have become widespread, with scanty information on effects of biogenic nanoparticles on the living system. This work investigated the effects of cocoa pod husk extract-mediated silver nanoparticles (CPHE-AgNPs) on tissues of albino rats.

Methods

Twelve female albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups of four rats each and treated once daily with distilled water, 50 µg/mL, and 100 µg/mL of CPHE-AgNPs intraperitoneally for fourteen days. Activities of selected enzymes were monitored in the serum, liver, kidney and heart. Hepatic and renal function indices, lipid profile, organ-body weight ratios, Hb, PCV and organ histoarchitectural examination were also carried out.

Results

There were significant (p < 0.05) elevations in the heart ALP, liver GGT and AST, serum albumin, creatinine and Na + and K + in response to CPHE-AgNPs treatment. The nanoparticles also caused significant (p < 0.05) reductions in liver ALT and ALP, serum AST, ALP and creatine kinase (CK), liver and heart protein, and serum conjugated bilirubin. However, there were no significant (p > 0.05) changes in serum ALT and GGT, heart aminotransferases and CK, all kidney enzymes, serum total protein, total bilirubin, urea, uric acid, Cl- and lipids. Liver and kidney protein, Hb, PCV, tissue-body weight ratios and histoarchitecture of the organs were also not affected.

Conclusions

This study concludes that CPHE-AgNPs i.p. for fourteen days at 50 and 100 µg/mL exhibited mild hepatic, renal and cardiac cellular toxicities, with functional toxicity of the liver and kidney; an information which may guide safe use of the nanoparticles.

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Acknowledgements

This project did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies. The authors wish the appreciate the Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO +), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria for donating the CPHE-AgNPs used in this study. The authors also wish to appreciate all Laboratory Staff of Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria for their assistance. Muneerah Muhammad, Fasilat Salako and Aishah Adisa are also appreciated for their contributions to the experimental procedure during their industrial training in the Laboratory Unit of Fountain University, Osogbo.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Dutse, Dutse, 720101, Nigeria

    Amadu Kayode Salau

  2. Department of Chemical Sciences, Fountain University, Osogbo, 230212, Nigeria

    Amadu Kayode Salau & Suaib Olasupo Osineye

  3. Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, 210214, Nigeria

    Agbaje Lateef

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  1. Amadu Kayode Salau
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Correspondence to Amadu Kayode Salau.

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A. K. Salau, S. O. Osineye and A. Lateef declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants. Statements on ethical approval for animal studies are in the materials and methods section.

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Salau, A.K., Osineye, S.O. & Lateef, A. Nanotoxicological investigations of cocoa pod husk extract-mediated silver nanoparticles in selected tissues of albino rats. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 14, 193–202 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-022-00129-6

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