The aqueous extract of Artemisia Absinthium L. stimulates HO-1/MT-1/Cyp450 signaling pathway via oxidative stress regulation induced by aluminium oxide nanoparticles (α and γ) animal model

BACKGROUND

This research aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Artemisia Absinthium L. (Abs) against liver damage induced by aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) in rats, including both structural and functional changes associated with hepatotoxicity.

METHODS

Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6). The first group received no treatment. The second group was orally administered Abs at a dose of 200 mg/kg/b.w. The third and fifth groups were injected intraperitoneally with γ-Al2O3 NPs and α-Al2O3 NPs, respectively, at a dose of 30 mg/kg/b.w. The fourth and sixth groups were pre-treated with oral Abs at a dose of 200 mg/kg/b.w. along with intraperitoneal injection of γ-Al2O3 NPs and α-Al2O3 NPs, respectively, at a dose of 30 mg/kg/b.w.

RESULTS

Treatment with γ-Al2O3 NPs resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in total body weight gain, relative liver weight to body weight, and liver weight in rats. However, co-administration of γ-Al2O3 NPs with Abs significantly increased body weight gain (P < 0.05). Rats treated with Al2O3 NPs (γ and α) exhibited elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Conversely, treatment significantly reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and metallothionein-1 (MT-1) mRNAs, cytochrome P450 (CYP P450) protein, and histopathological changes were significantly up-regulated in rats injected with Al2O3 NPs. Pre-treatment with Abs significantly reduced MDA, AST, HO-1, and CYP P450 levels in the liver, while increasing GPx and T-SOD levels compared to rats treated with Al2O3 NPs.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that Abs has potential protective effects against oxidative stress, up-regulation of oxidative-related genes and proteins, and histopathological alterations induced by Al2O3 NPs. Notably, γ-Al2O3 NPs exhibited greater hepatotoxicity than α-Al2O3 NPs.

Influence of alumina nanoparticles on the performance of polyacrylonitrile membranes in MBR

This study aims to investigate the effect of using Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) in membrane structure on the operation condition of the membrane bioreactor. To this end, alumina NPs as the high hydrophilic agents with an approximate size of 40 nm and a concentration of 0-3 wt.% were placed within the PAN polymeric membrane matrix structure with high hydrophilicity and high mechanical resistance over the others via the phase inversion method. Characterization of synthesized nanocomposite membranes was carried out by SEM analysis. In the presence of the alumina NPs, the porosity of the membranes improved. The water contact angle measurement confirmed the superior hydrophilicity of mixed PAN membranes compared to the pure polymeric membranes. The best nanocomposite membrane with better antifouling properties was selected to evaluate the MBR's performance in wastewater treatment and assessed in terms of the resistance, flux recovery, and COD removal rates. The result of a comparison with pure membrane showed that by increasing the Al₂O₃ amount up to 2wt.%, irreversible fouling resistance mitigated as much as 50%. Moreover, the flux recovery ratio was increased by 15%, and the COD removal rate was also raised as large as 16%. Our investigation illustrated that the presence of alumina NPs has improved the MBR performance and decreased the irreversible fouling resistance of the membrane.

Influence of Al2O3 Nanoparticles on the Soil Elements

The behavior of nanoparticles released to the soil has been extensively studied in recent years; however, the effects of nanoparticles on the distribution of soil elements and on sowing are still unknown. To this end, to examine the distribution of selected elements in soil, soil samples were treated weekly with 1.0 mg and 20.0 mg of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles for 3 weeks. Additionally, different types of plants (including taproot, fibrous root and ornamental bulbous plants) were sowed in the soil samples. After each treatment, surface soil samples were collected and digested with acid digestion. The concentrations of selected elements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Cu, Co, Ni) were determined using a microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer. Al₂O₃ treatment for 3 weeks, both low and high doses, had no effect on the Al content in soil samples when compared to the controls. Additionally, Al₂O₃ showed desorption properties on the analyte elements.

Interaction of Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles with Escherichia coli and their cell envelope biomolecules

AIMS

The aim of this study is to investigate the antibacterial activity of aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2 O3 NPs) against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and their interaction with cell envelope biomolecules.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Al2 O3 NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Antibacterial activity and interaction of Al2 O3 NPs with E. coli and its surface biomolecules were assessed by spectrophotometry, SEM, HR-TEM and attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR). Of the 80 isolates tested, about 64 (80%) were found to be extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) positive and 16 (20%) were non-ESBL producers. Al2 O3 NPs at 1000 μg ml(-1) significantly inhibited the bacterial growth. SEM and HR-TEM analyses revealed the attachment of NPs to the surface of cell membrane and also their presence inside the cells due to formation of irregular-shaped pits and perforation on the surfaces of bacterial cells. The intracellular Al2 O3 NPs might have interacted with cellular biomolecules and caused adverse effects eventually triggering the cell death. ATR-FTIR studies suggested the interaction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and L-α-Phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (PE) with Al2 O3 NPs. Infrared (IR) spectral changes revealed that the LPS could bind to Al2 O3 NPs through hydrogen binding and ligand exchange. The Al2 O3 NPs-induced structural changes in phospholipids may lead to the loss of amphiphilic properties, destruction of the membrane and cell leaking.

CONCLUSIONS

The penetration and accumulation of NPs inside the bacterial cell cause pit formation, perforation and disorganization and thus drastically disturb its proper function. The cell surface biomolecular changes revealed by ATR-FTIR spectra provide a better understanding of the cytotoxicity of Al2 O3 NPs.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Al2 O3 NPs may serve as broad-spectrum bactericidal agents to control the emergent pathogens regardless of their drug-resistance mechanisms.