Effects of Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Bioactive Compounds from Cornus mas Fruit on Aorta Ultrastructural and Biochemical Changes in Rats on a Hyperlipid Diet—A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Cornus mas L. extract (CM) presents hypolipidemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are considered potent delivery systems and may be used to release pharmaceutical compounds at the level of injury. In our study, we used gold nanoparticles functionalized with bioactive compounds from Cornus mas L. (AuNPsCM) in an experimental model of a high-fat diet (HFD), and we assessed their effects on aorta wall but also in the serum, as compared to Cornus mas (CM) administration. Sprague Dawley female rats were fed for 9 months with an HFD. During the last month of the experiment, we randomly allocated the animals into three groups that received, by oral gavage: saline solution, CM solution (0.158 mg/mL polyphenols) or AuNPsCM solution (260 μg Au/kg/day), while a Control group received a standard diet and saline solution. At the end of the experiment, we performed an ultrasonography of the aorta and left ventricle and a histology and transmission electron microscopy of the aorta walls; we investigated the oxidative stress and inflammation in aorta homogenates and in serum and, in addition, the lipid profile. AuNPsCM presented better effects in comparison with the natural extract (CM) on lipid peroxidation (p < 0.01) and TNF-alpha (p < 0.001) in aorta homogenates. In serum, both CM and AuNPsCM decreased the triglycerides (p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CM, p < 0.01; AuNPsCM, p < 0.001) and increased the antioxidant protection (p < 0.001), in comparison with the HFD group. In intima, AuNPsCM produced ultrastructural lesions, with the disorganization of intima and subendothelial connective layer, whereas CM administration preserved the intima normal aspect, but with a thinned subendothelial connective layer. AuNPsCM oral administration presented certain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects in an experimental model of HFD, but with a negative impact on the ultrastructure of aorta walls, highlighted by the intima disorganization.

Effects of Cornus mas L. on lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidative enzyme activity in high fat diet fed rats

“…SOD is in charge of limiting oxidative damage [38] and according to our results, SOD enzyme activity decreased in the HFD compared to the control and increased in the HFD + C. mas and HFD post-treated C. mas compared to the HFD. The protective effect of C. mas extract as an antioxidant was more favorable compared to atorvastatin treatment.…”

“…Furthermore, GSH levels increased in the groups fed with iridoid loganic acid (CH+LA; 20 mg/kg body weight + 1% cholesterol) and anthocyanins (CH+ANT; 10 mg/kg body weight+1% cholesterol) obtained from C. mas for 60 days compared to the CH group [37]. A recent study reported that the concentration of GSH in rat serum was decreased in a high-fat diet compared to the control but increased significantly in the serum of rats treated with simple C. mas extract compared to the HFD group (p < 0.05) [38]. Overall, these studies substantiated our results and highlighted the beneficial effects of C. mas on the GSH level.…”

Effects of Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Cornus mas L. Fruit Extract on the Aorta Wall in Rats with a High-Fat Diet and Experimental-Induced Diabetes Mellitus—An Imaging Study

“…The level of the gold nanoparticles in the aorta wall was determined with ICP–OES (inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry) using a Perkin Elmer OPTIMA 2100 DV spectrometer, following the method that was described in our previous article [ 16 ].…”

“…The high-fat food was administered by gavage, bringing an additional 45% level of energy. The composition of the diet was described in our preliminary study [ 16 ].…”

“…For the TEM investigation, the aorta samples were prepared using the method described in our previous article [ 16 ]. The aorta sections of 60–80 nm were examined with a JEOL JEM 100CX II transmission electron microscope (JEOL, Tokyo, Japan) and the images were taken with a MegaView G3 camera (EMSIS, Münster, Germany).…”