Gastroprotective Effects of Green Synthesised Silver Nanoparticles Using Artocarpus Lakoocha Leaves Improves...

Gastric ulcers result from an imbalance between aggressive factors and protective mechanisms within the gastric mucosa. This study evaluates the antioxidative and gastroprotective effects of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Artocarpus lakoocha leaf extract (ALE) against ethanol-induced gastric injury in mice. Nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis (λmax 428 nm), FE-SEM (44-66 nm), FTIR, XRD, EDX, and TGA, with a zeta potential of - 25.6 mV confirming stability. In vitro, ALAgNPs reduced A-549 lung cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (IC₅₀ ≈ 40 µg/mL). In vivo, ethanol markedly increased gastric ulcer index (3.60 ± 0.06) and MDA levels, while reducing antioxidant enzymes. Pretreatment with ALAgNPs (5 and 20 mg/kg) significantly decreased ulcer index to 2.20 ± 0.23 and 1.46 ± 0.60, corresponding to 54% and 65% inhibition indicating selective therapeutic potential. Ethanol exposure significantly increased MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β, while reducing CAT, SOD and GSH. Our findings indicated that MDA levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β were elevated in the ethanol group, whereas diminished antioxidant capacity was observed. ALAgNPs and ranitidine significantly reduced MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels while restoring GSH, CAT, SOD, gastric mucus, and antioxidant potential. Histopathology confirmed mucosal protection, reinforcing A. lakoocha derived AgNPs as promising gastroprotective agents with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties for ulcer management and cancer cytotoxicity.