Nano-nutraceuticals from spinach-iron oxide as a green remedy for iron deficiency

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a nutritional metabolic condition that effects infants, children, even adults, both men and women. Individuals with IDA have inadequate iron intake or impaired absorption of iron. The main cause of IDA is the low bioavailability of iron from conventional means, diet and supplementation, even if present in an ambient amount. The major objective of this study was to increase the bioavailability of iron using green technology. For this purpose, iron oxide nanoparticles were fabricated using iron-rich spinach leaves extract. The characterization of the particles was done by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). For bio-evaluation of these green synthesized nanoparticles, male albino rats (n = 45) weighing 120-150 g were used in the study. Iron deficiency anemia was induced by using phenyl-hydrazine injection (40 mg/kg) in all rats except for the negative control group. Anemic rats were subdivided into four groups: one positive control and three treatment groups (spinach powder (7 % of feed), iron oxide nanoparticles (4 mg/kg BW/day), ferrous sulfate (4 mg/kg BW/day). The duration of the intervention period was 21 days. Hematological measures were taken to check the treatment effects of iron levels. The findings of the study demonstrated that hemoglobin, serum iron and serum ferritin levels in intervention groups were found to be significantly improved with p = 0.001. The present study concluded that spinach-iron oxide nanoparticles could be an effective approach in treating iron deficiency anemia and may be used for novel functional foods and in the medicinal field.