Moringa Peregrina-derived Selenium Nanoparticles: Potent Inhibitor of Key Inflammatory Pathways in Aluminum-exposed...

Human exposure to aluminium, due to its high availability, can lead to nephrotoxicity. This exposure generates reactive oxygen species and triggers apoptosis, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage. Moringa peregrina, a plant valued for its traditional, nutritional, industrial, and medicinal properties, has been studied for its pharmacological benefits. Selenium nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts have garnered attention for their potential medicinal importance.

This study aims to investigate the nephroprotective effects of Moringa peregrinaselenium nanoparticles (MPE-SeNPs) on aluminium-induced renal injury.

Dried powdered seeds of M. peregrina (100 g) were extracted in distilled water to evaluate total phenolics and flavonoids and prepare the targeted MPE-SeNPs. These nanoparticles were characterized using TEM, UV-Vis, and FTIR. The LD₅₀ of MPE-SeNPs was estimated to prepare 1/50 and 1/20 LD50 doses for evaluating renal protective activity against renal fibrosis in rats.

The phenolic and flavonoid content of Moringa peregrina was approximately 76.42 mg of GAE/g DE and 15.55 mg of QE/g DE, respectively. TEM analysis showed that the nanoparticles had a size of around 64.5 ± 5.5 nm with a zeta potential value of 28.57 mV. The UV-Vis profile of the nanoparticles showed two specific peaks at 268 and 277 nm. At the same time, FTIR spectral data revealed the presence of OH, CH-arom., CH-aliph., and C=O groups, characterizing phenolics and flavonoids. The LD50 of the nanoparticles was 773 mg/kg b.w. Oral administration of M. peregrina extract (150 mg) and MPE-SeNPs (15.46 and 38.65 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 7 days significantly improved blood selenium levels as well as plasma levels of urea, creatinine, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and phospholipids, as well as renal malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in aluminium-intoxicated rats. Furthermore, M. peregrina and its selenium nanoparticles downregulated renal transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene expression in aluminium-exposed rats. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in rats treated with MPE-SeNPs was more pronounced than in those treated with M. peregrina extract alone. Histopathological results indicated that MPE-SeNPs improved renal tissue by enhancing antioxidant enzymes and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), suppressing pro-inflammatory IL-2, and scavenging free radicals.

The seeds of M. peregrina are rich in phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, glucosides, and glucosinolates. MPE-SeNPs show promise as a protective agent against aluminiuminduced renal injury, with their ability to mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis underscoring their potential therapeutic value.