The effects of biofunctionalized silver nanoparticles with polyphenols from Cornus Mas in experimental inflammation

Introduction: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), especially due to their properties, have gained in recent years a growing popularity in the field of nanotechnology applied in medicine, including in carcinogenegesis. The... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), especially due to their properties, have gained in recent years a growing popularity in the field of nanotechnology applied in medicine, including in carcinogenegesis. The interactions between AgNPs and tissues are complex, therefore careful evaluation of real efficacy and safety is a prerequisite for the development of a specific chemopreventive product.

Methods: The present study aims to investigate the biological activity of silver nanoparticles functionalized with polyphenols from Cornus mas fruits (0.3 mg/kg b.w. AgNPs-CM) on experimental model of acute inflammation (100 µl 1% carrageenan injected in paw tissue). The antioxidant and modulatory effect on inflammation and cell death were studied in comparison with the extract (15 mg/kg b.w. CM), indomethacin (5 mg/kgc) and saline solution. All the substances were orally administered, during 4 days, before carrageenan injection. At 2h, 24h and 48h after induction of inflammation, the plantar tissue samples were taken for oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis rate investigations.

Results and Discussion: AgNPs-CM reduced significantly interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 levels and cell death (p<0.001) at 2h after carrageenan administration. The effect was maintained at 24h for IL-1α in parallel with an increased activity of GPx. At 48 h the rate of apoptosis and ERK ½ activation increased significantly while the GSH-GSSG ratio diminished.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that bioconjugates prepared from silver nanoparticles and natural extracts from Cornus mas have dual effect on inflammation: reduced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in early stage of inflammation while at 48h increased the apoptosis and induced ERK ½ activation in parallel with reduction of antioxidant defense. This behavior suggests a possible role of AgNPs-CM as chemopreventive agent.