Ameliorative effects of Moringa oleifera on copper nanoparticle induced toxicity in Cyprinus carpio assessed by histology and oxidative stress markers

Influences of l-ascorbic acid on cytotoxic, biochemical, and genotoxic damages caused by copper II oxide nanoparticles in the rainbow trout gonad cells-2

In parallel with the raising use of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in various industrial and commercial practices, scientific reports on their release to the environment and toxicity are increasing. The toxicity of CuO NPs is mostly based on their oxidative stress. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the efficacy of well-known therapeutic agents as antioxidants against CuO NPs damage. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of this damage and to display whether l-ascorbic acid could preserve against the cell toxicities induced by CuO NPs in the rainbow trout gonad cells-2 (RTG-2). While CuO NPs treatment significantly diminished cell viability, the l-ascorbic acid supplement reversed this. l-ascorbic acid treatment reversed the changes in expressions of sod1, sod2, gpx1a, and gpx4b genes while playing a supportive role in the changes in the expression of the cat gene induced by CuO NPs treatment. Moreover, CuO NPs treatment caused an upregulation in the expressions of growth-related genes (gh1, igf1, and igf2) and l-ascorbic acid treatment further increased these effects. CuO NPs treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of the gapdh gene (glycolytic enzyme gene) compared to the control group, and l-ascorbic acid treatment significantly down-regulated the expression of the gapdh gene compared to CuO NPs treatment. The genotoxicity test demonstrated that l-ascorbic acid treatment increased the genotoxic effect caused by CuO NPs by acting as a co-mutagen. Based on the findings, l-ascorbic acid has the potential to be sometimes inhibitory and sometimes supportive of cellular mechanisms caused by CuO NPs.

Bioinspired engineered nickel nanoparticles with multifunctional attributes for reproductive toxicity

Nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) have potential applications in high-tech sectors such as battery manufacturing, catalysis, nanotube printing and textile. Apart from their increasing utilisation in daily life, there are concerns about their hazardous nature as they are highly penetrable in biological systems. The carcinogenic and mutagenic ability of Ni-NPs is evident but the research gaps are still there concerning the safety evaluation of Ni-NPs regarding male reproductive ability. This controlled randomized research was planned to assess the male reproductive toxicity of Ni-NPs in Sprague Dawley rats. Ni-NPs of spherical shape and mean particle size of 56 nm were used in the study, characterized by SEM, EDS and XRD. The twenty-five healthy rats (200-220 g) were used for toxicity investigation of Ni-NPs and divided into five groups; negative control (0 Ni-NPs), placebo group (0.9% saline) and three Ni-NPs treated groups (@ 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg BW). The results of 14 days of intraperitoneal exposure to Ni-NPs revealed that a higher dose (45 mg/kg BW) of Ni-NPs caused a significant reduction in body weight, serum testosterone, daily sperm production while the testis index and Ni accumulation and histological changes (necrosis in basement membrane and seminiferous tubules, vacuole formation) in testicular tissues increased with increasing dose of Ni-NPs. It can be concluded from the study that Ni-NPs have potential reproductive toxicity. This study provided the baseline data of Ni-NPs toxicity for the male reproductive system and can be applied for risk assessment in Ni-NPs based products.

Dietary supplementation with Moringa oleifera leaves extract reduces the impacts of sub-lethal fipronil in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

This study assessed the restorative dietary effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves extract against the negative impacts of sub-lethal fipronil (FIP) toxicity in Nile tilapia. To achieve this purpose, the growth, body composition, haemato-biochemical measurements, serum immunity, and antioxidant condition of Nile tilapia have been examined. Fish were arranged into 6 experimental groups in quadruplicates. Three groups were fed on diets supplemented with 0.0 (reference group), 1.0 (MO1), and 2.0 (MO2) g kg^-1 of MO leaf extract. The other three groups were fed on the same MO levels and concomitantly subjected to a sub-lethal FIP concentration (4.2 µg L^-1 for 3 h only per day) and defined as FIP, FIP + MO1, and FIP + MO2. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Results unveiled that growth parameters were significantly decreased alongside an increased feed conversion ratio in the FIP-intoxicated group. The moisture and crude protein (%) were decreased significantly together with a significant increase of the crude lipids (%) in the fish body of the FIP group. Sub-lethal FIP toxicity induced hypochromic anemia, leukopenia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoglobulinemia, and hepato-renal failure (increased urea and creatinine concentrations, as well as ALT and AST enzymes). Exposure to sub-lethal FIP also induced (a) immunosuppression manifested by a decline in total IgM, complement C3, and lysozyme activities, (b) enzymatic antioxidant misbalance manifested by decreases in SOD and CAT activities, and (c) oxidative stress (declined T-AOC and elevated of MDA concentrations). On the other side, dietary supplementation with MO leaf extract in FIP + MO1 and FIP + MO2 groups noticeably modulated the aforementioned parameters. Therefore, we can conclude that dietary MO could reduce sub-lethal FIP toxicity in Nile tilapia with a possible recommendation for regular prophylaxis supplementation in Nile tilapia diets.

Ameliorative Hematological and Histomorphological Effects of Dietary Trigonella foenum-graecum Seeds in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Exposed to Copper Oxide Nanoparticles

Different types of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are being used for wastewater treatment worldwide but concerns have been raised regarding their potential toxicities, especially toward non-targeted aquatic organisms including fishes. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of copper oxide (CuO) NPs (1.5 mg/L; positive control group) in a total of 130 common carp (Cyprinus carpio), as well as the potential ameliorative effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed extracts (100 mg/L as G-1 group, 125 mg/L as G-2 group, and 150 mg/L as G-3 group) administered to fish for 28 days. Significant changes were observed in the morphometric parameters: the body weight and length of the CuO-NP-treated fish respectively decreased from 45.28 ± 0.34 g and 14.40 ± 0.56 cm at day one to 43.75 ± 0.41 g and 13.57 ± 0.67 cm at day 28. Conversely, fish treated with T. foenum-graecum seed extract showed significant improvements in body weight and length. After exposure to CuO NPs, a significant accumulation of Cu was recorded in the gills, livers, and kidneys (1.18 ± 0.006 µg/kg ww, 1.38 ± 0.006 µg/kg ww, and 0.05 ± 0.006 µg/kg ww, respectively) of the exposed common carp, and significant alterations in fish hematological parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT)) were also observed. However, supplementing diets with fenugreek extracts modulated the blood parameters and the oxidative stress enzymes. Similarly, histological observations revealed that sub-lethal exposure to CuO NPs caused severe histomorphological changes in fish gills (i.e., degenerative epithelium, fused lamellae, necrotic lamellae, necrosis of primary lamellae, complete degeneration, and complete lamellar fusion), liver (i.e., degenerative hepatocytes, vacuolization, damaged central vein, dilated sinusoid, vacuolated degeneration, and complete degeneration), and kidney (i.e., necrosis and tubular degeneration, abnormal glomerulus, swollen tubules, and complete degeneration), while the treatment with the fenugreek extract significantly decreased tissue damage in a dose-dependent manner by lowering the accumulation of Cu in the selected fish tissues. Overall, this work demonstrated the ameliorative effects of dietary supplementation with T. foenum-graecum seed extract against the toxicity of NPs in aquatic organisms. The findings of this study therefore provided evidence of the promising nutraceutical value of fenugreek and enhanced its applicative potential in the sector of fish aquaculture, as it was shown to improve the growth performance and wellness of organisms.

An Overview of the Beneficial Role of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Nanoparticle-Induced Toxicities

Nanoparticles (NPs) are used in many products and materials for humans such as electronics, in medicine for drug delivery, as biosensors, in biotechnology, and in agriculture, as ingredients in cosmetics and food supplements. Besides that, NPs may display potentially hazardous properties on human health and the environment as a consequence of their abundant use in life nowadays. Hence, there is increased interest of researchers to provide possible therapeutic agents or dietary supplements for the amelioration of NP-induced toxicity. This review summarizes the new findings in the research of the use of antioxidants as supplements for the prevention and alleviation of harmful effects caused by exposure of organisms to NPs. Also, mechanisms involved in the formation of NP-induced oxidative stress and protective mechanisms using different antioxidant substances have also been elaborated. This review also highlights the potential of naturally occurring antioxidants for the enhancement of the antioxidant defense systems in the prevention and mitigation of organism damage caused by NP-induced oxidative stress. Based on the presented results of the most recent studies, it may be concluded that the role of antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of nanoparticle-induced toxicity is unimpeachable. This is particularly important in terms of oxidative stress suppression.

An Overview of the Beneficial Role of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Nanoparticle-Induced Toxicities

Nanoparticles (NPs) are used in many products and materials for humans such as electronics, in medicine for drug delivery, as biosensors, in biotechnology, and in agriculture, as ingredients in cosmetics and food supplements. Besides that, NPs may display potentially hazardous properties on human health and the environment as a consequence of their abundant use in life nowadays. Hence, there is increased interest of researchers to provide possible therapeutic agents or dietary supplements for the amelioration of NP-induced toxicity. This review summarizes the new findings in the research of the use of antioxidants as supplements for the prevention and alleviation of harmful effects caused by exposure of organisms to NPs. Also, mechanisms involved in the formation of NP-induced oxidative stress and protective mechanisms using different antioxidant substances have also been elaborated. This review also highlights the potential of naturally occurring antioxidants for the enhancement of the antioxidant defense systems in the prevention and mitigation of organism damage caused by NP-induced oxidative stress. Based on the presented results of the most recent studies, it may be concluded that the role of antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of nanoparticle-induced toxicity is unimpeachable. This is particularly important in terms of oxidative stress suppression.

Effects of Moringa oleifera leaves extract, vitamin C, and taurine co-exposures on calcium and metallothionein levels, oxidative stress, and gill histopathological changes in Clarias gariepinus exposed to sub-lethal cadmium

Cadmium aquatic environmental pollution poses great threats to fish and their would-be consumers. The present work investigated the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (EAEMOL), vitamin C, and taurine co-exposures on calcium and metallothionein levels, oxidative stress, and gill histopathological changes in Clarias gariepinus exposed to sub-lethal cadmium (CdCl₂) for 28 days. Fish were exposed to CdCl₂ only (1.048 mg/L) as well as co-exposed with EAEMOL (20 mg/L), vitamin C (5 mg/L), and taurine (5 mg/L) separately. There was significant (p < 0.05) deterioration in fish water quality with increasing exposure period but no significant (p > 0.05) changes occurred between the exposed groups. However, the co-exposure of EAEMOL, vitamin C, and taurine did not significantly (p > 0.05) improve the CdCl₂-induced fish water quality deterioration. Sub-lethal exposure to CdCl₂ only caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver metallothionein (MT) levels with significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum catalase activity only. However, EAEMOL, vitamin C, and taurine co-exposures did not significantly (p > 0.05) improve the MDA, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione activities, as well as MT and calcium (Ca²⁺) levels, condition factor (CF), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and gill histopathological changes induced by the CdCl₂ exposure. Similarly, none of the present exposures, CdCl2 only or its co-exposures with EAEMOL, vitamin C, and taurine significantly (p > 0.05) altered the normal functioning of the gills despite the observed histopathological changes based on the degree of tissue change protocol. Therefore, EAEMOL, vitamin C, and taurine co-exposures, as administered in the present case, did not considerably alter the physicochemical parameters of the experimental fish water. However, outside significantly (p < 0.05) increasing MDA level, EAEMOL, vitamin C, and taurine co-exposures did not significantly (p > 0.05) improve the CdCl₂-induced Ca²⁺, MT, CF, HSI, and gill histopathological alterations by sub-lethal CdCl₂ exposure of C. gariepinus.

Effect of morphology and support of copper nanoparticles on basic ovarian granulosa cell functions

The aim of this survey is to explore the possible effects of unsupported and supported copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) of different morphologies on basic ovarian cell functions. For this purpose, we have compared the activity of unsupported spherical, triangular, and hexagonal CuNPs, as well as of spherical CuNPs supported on titania, zeolite Y and activated charcoal (0, 1, 10, or 100 ng/mL) on cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Cell viability, proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein, bax) and release of steroid hormones progesterone, testosterone, and 17β-estradiol have been analyzed by the Trypan blue test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and ELISA, respectively. Cell viability decreased after treatment with hexagonal CuNPs, whilst all the other CuNPs increased it. Unsupported spherical and hexagonal CuNPs, and spherical CuNPs/titania reduced PCNA accumulation; in contrast, an increase was noted for unsupported triangular CuNPs and CuNPs/zeolite Y. Bax accumulation was not affected by hexagonal CuNPs, whereas CuNPs/zeolite Y promoted it and all the other CuNPs depleted it. The release of all steroid hormones was inhibited by CuNPs/titanium dioxide and stimulated by CuNPs/charcoal, whilst CuNPs/zeolite Y promoted the testosterone and 17β-estradiol output, but not that of progesterone. These results demonstrate the direct, mainly stimulatory, impact of CuNPs on basic ovarian cell functions. The character of the CuNPs' action depends on their shape and support. Therefore, CuNPs with appropriate chemical modification could be potentially useful for the control of reproductive processes and treatment of reproductive disorders.