The obesity epidemic poses a global challenge that requires safer, natural-
based therapeutic alternatives. Here, we present a nanobiotechnology strategy by employing
Moringa peregrina (MP) seed extract for the energy-efficient synthesis of stabilized selenium
nanoparticles (MPS-SeNPs) and demonstrate their anti-obesity efficacy.
MPS-SeNPs were biosynthesized using Moringa peregrina seed extract and characterised
by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, TEM, and DLS techniques. Phytochemical profiling
was performed by HPLC. The LD₂⁽ for acute oral toxicity was determined in mice. For the
efficacy studies, male albino mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and treated with
MPS-SeNPs (44.60 or 111.50 mg/kg), metformin (500 mg/kg), or vehicle, respectively. Body
weight, hepatic lipids (NEFA, TC, TG), liver enzymes (ALT, AST), inflammatory markers (MCP-
1, COX-2), insulin signaling proteins (PI3K, GLUT2), as well as lipogenic enzymes (FAS, ACC)
were also determined. Liver histopathology and gut microbiota composition were also assessed.
MPS-SeNPs exhibited uniform size (49.30 ± 2.26 nm), while successful conjugation of
phytochemicals was confirmed using FT-IR. High concentrations of quercetin (14.54 mg/g),
kaempferol (9.43 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (6.89 mg/g), rutin (6.18 mg/g), and β-sitosterol (4.86
mg/g) were detected by HPLC. Acute toxicity was low (LD₂⁽ > 2000 mg/kg). High-dose MPSSeNPs
(111.50 mg/kg) significantly decreased body weight gain in HFD-fed mice by 34.1% (p
<0.001), corrected the hepatic lipids (NEFA ↓52.5%; TC ↓50.0%; TG ↓62.5%), and restored
liver enzyme levels to those of controls (ALT, AST). Mechanistically, MPS-SeNPs suppressed
lipogenic enzymes (FAS ↓57%, ACC ↑39% normalization), restored insulin signaling
(PI3K/Akt, GLUT2), and inhibited inflammation (MCP-1 ↓47%, COX-2 fully normalized).
These effects were comparable to metformin.
The excellent activity of MPS-SeNPs is likely due to the synergistic effects of the
bioactive phytoconstituents of M. peregrina, including flavonoids and the selenium core. This
synergy concurrently modulates three cardinal pathogenic cascades: de novo lipogenesis, insulin
resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Moreover, the green synthesis process enhances
the stability, bioavailability, and intrinsic antioxidant properties of the formulation. These
results position plant-stabilized nanoparticles as an intriguing avenue for the formation of
natural product-based therapeutics against metabolic disorders.
MPS-SeNPs represent a promising multitargeted nanotherapeutic against obesity,
with lipid metabolism modulations, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation and gut
microbiota representing target processes to exert their anti-obesity effects. This study suggests that
the combined action of selenium and Moringa phytochemicals, as well as a favorable safety profile,
provides a basis for further development of MPS-SeNPs for clinical use in metabolic diseases.
Tarek Fekry, Hala O Ramadan, M. Hussein et al.· The Natural Products Journal· 0 citations
Paracetamol is the most common cause of drug- induced liver injury,
which is associated with oxidative stress, cytokine release, and apoptosis. Boswellic acid (BA),
with anti- inflammatory and antioxidant effects, can ameliorate liver injury but has poor solubility
and bioavailability. The objective of this study was to design boswellic acid nanoparticles
(BA-NPs) and test their protective effect against paracetamol-induced liver injury in mice.
BA-NPs were prepared by a surfactant-assisted emulsion method and characterized by
UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR analysis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurements,
and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Acute oral toxicity (LD₂⁽) was assessed in
healthy mice. Liver- intoxicated mice were treated with paracetamol (1 g/kg, po) and pretreated
for 14 days with BA- NPs (75 mg/kg, po) or silymarin (50 mg/kg). Measurements included serum
liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), lipid profile markers (TC, TG, and HDL), oxidative
stress indicators (GSH, CAT, GPx, SOD, and MDA), inflammatory cytokines and their markers
(IL- 6 and TNF–α), the apoptotic marker p 53, caspase- 8 and STAT 3 mRNA expression measured
by qPCR, and molecular docking simulations to predict boswellic acid's binding affinity to
target proteins.
The formulated BA- NPs were spherical and monodisperse (54. 54.54 ± 2. 76 nm) with
colloidal stability (zeta potential:- 18. 84 mV; PDI: 0. 26). The LD50 was estimated to be 1500
mg/kg, indicating relatively low acute toxicity. BA-NP pretreatment alleviated paracetamolinduced
increases in ALT, AST, and ALP; normalized dyslipidemia; restored antioxidant activity;
and decreased MDA levels. We observed that the levels of pro- inflammatory cytokines (IL-
6, TNF- α) and p 53 were strongly downregulated. The expression of both caspase-8 and STAT3
was also downregulated by BA-NPs. Molecular docking data showed that boswellic acid bound
significantly to caspase-8 (ΔG = -7.97 kcal/mol) and STAT3 (ΔG = -7.95 kcal/mol), supporting
its mechanism of hepatoprotection.
Our results indicate that BA- NPs prepared by Span 60/Tween 80 emulsification
provide potent hepatoprotection against paracetamol- induced liver injury through synergistic,
multi- mechanistic action, significantly protecting against hepatic injury by concurrently suppressing
oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling pathways, and apoptosis, three interconnected
molecular events critical to the pathogenesis of paracetamol hepatotoxicity.
BA-NPs prepared via emulsification of Span 60/Tween 80 offer potent hepatoprotection
against paracetamol-induced liver injury by primarily modulating oxidative stress, inflammation,
and apoptosis. This approach not only highlights a potentially novel therapeutic for
drug- induced hepatotoxicity but also overcomes the pharmacokinetic barriers of the native boswellic
acid agent and provides an improved alternative to currently available drugs.
Ola Abdallah Ahmed, M. Hussein, Azza Mahmoud Abdullah· The Natural Products Journal· 0 citations
The results of this study showed that the SeNPs synthesized by SOLE extract have notable antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, which implies a combination of selenium bioactivity and some other phytochemical compounds in S. officinalis.
M. Mansour, M. Hussein, N. Mostafa et al.· Current Bioactive Compounds· 0 citations
LaP-NPs efficiently prevent HgClⁿ-induced lung injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, modulating stress-related genes, and reducing inflammatory pathways, suggesting that LaP-NPs could serve as a nanotherapeutic for heavy metal-induced pulmonary toxicity.
Azza M. Metwaly, Manar Eldeeb, M. Hussein et al.· Current Bioactive Compounds· 0 citations
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