Journal of Cytology & Histology

Histopathological, Biochemical and Genetic Profile Post Application of Free Silver Nanoparticles and H₂O₂ Combined Form in Vitro Study

Abstract

Adel-El-bialy, Ahmed M. Mansour, Tamer M. M. Abuamara, Mohamed E. Amer, Rania I Shbel, Emadeldin R Matar, Mohamed Abulghait and Aly Fahmy Mohamed*

Current studyaimed to evaluate the antiviral activities of free silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and hydrogen peroxide combined silver nanoparticles(AgNP-H₂O₂) compared to standard IFN-α2a against Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The related biochemical and pathological changes as well asthe expression levels of antiviral biomarkers, namely Mx-A and 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'-5'-OAS)were investigated. Cytotoxicity of AgNPs and AgNP-H₂O₂ was monitored against Vero cellsusing MTT assay. Data revealed that the toxicity was concentration dependent and AgNP-H₂O₂was significantly (P<0.05)toxicthan AgNPs recording an IC₅₀value of 0.864 and7μM/ml, respectively. Oxidative stress markers showed elevated reactive oxygen species and decreased lactate dehydrogenase post treatment with AgNPs and AgNP-H₂O₂ compared to untreated cellcontrol. Assessment of the antiviral activity of tested particles prior to infection showed thatAgNP-H₂O₂exhibited higher reduction in the viralinfectivity titer in the order of 76.21% and 57.89% compared to that recorded post infection (34.11% and 36.84%) against HSV-1 and VSV, respectively. Similar pattern was observed in case of AgNPs but with lower depletion rate while, the highest depletion was in case of IFN-α2a. The percentage reduction in the plaque forming units against MERS-CoV were 33.3%, 66.6% and 87.5% post treatment with AgNPs, AgNP-H₂O₂ and IFN-α2a, respectively.MxA and2'-5'-OAS genes exhibited a signifinat (P<0.05) up-regrulationin. Pathological changes post treatment with tested particles showed signs of apoptosis indicating that although these particles exhibited promising antiviralpotentials, buttheir toxicity profile should be considered.