Synthesis and Characterization of Saponin Gold Nanoparticles for Treatment of Alcohol Associated Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Inflammation in Balb/c Mice

Abstract

Alcohol is one of the leading causes of liver disease in the western countries. However in the east, hepatitis B and C adversely affect the liver. Therefore the study was conducted on Balb/c mice as they are reported to be more sensitive to liver injury than rats. The liver disease was induced using carbon tetrachloride as the mice are reported to be insensitive to hepatitis virus. The aim of the study was to evaluate the difference between saponins and their gold nanoparticles in the treatment of carbon tetrachloride induced liver inflammation. The gold nanoparticles were synthesized via green synthesis using saponins extracted from the stem of Corchorus depressus plant. The mice inflammatory model was prepared by intraperitoneal induction of carbon tetrachloride and five percent ethanol in drinking water for thirteen weeks. The treatment strategy involved a comparison between non-treated and treated mice. The histopathologies of the liver, spleen and kidneys reflected significant variation between the efficacy of saponins and their gold nanoparticles in comparison to the non-treated group of mice. The results prove the potential significance of saponin gold nanoparticles in reducing liver inflammation. It is concluded from the study that liver inflammation remains irreversible for a period of seven weeks furthermore, saponin gold nanoparticles are more effective in reducing inflammation than saponins, however the swelling of the kidneys appears to be a minor side effect reflecting tissue uptake of gold but has been histopathologically reported to be unharmful, as the tissue morphology remains normal. Thus the results of the study support the hypothesis that saponin gold nanoparticles are pharmaceutically effective anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic agents.