Protective Role of Flavonoids against Intestinal Pro-Inflammatory Effects of Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have been increasingly incorporated into food-related and hygiene products for their unique antimicrobial and preservative properties. The consequent oral exposure may then result in unpredicted harmful effects in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which should be considered in the risk assessment and risk management of these materials. In the present study, the toxic effects of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-coated AgNP (4 and 19 nm) were evaluated in GIT-relevant cells (Caco-2 cell line as a model of human intestinal cells, and neutrophils as a model of the intestinal inflammatory response). This study also evaluated the putative protective action of dietary flavonoids against such harmful effects. The obtained results showed that AgNP of 4 and 19 nm effectively induced Caco-2 cell death by apoptosis with concomitant production of nitric oxide, irrespective of the size. It was also observed that AgNP induced human neutrophil oxidative burst. Interestingly, some flavonoids, namely quercetin and quercetagetin, prevented the deleterious effects of AgNP in both cell types. Overall, the data of the present study provide a first insight into the promising protective role of flavonoids against the potentially toxic effects of AgNP at the intestinal level.

Quercetagetin alleviates zearalenone-induced liver injury in rabbits through Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway

“…On the other hand, the inflammatory reaction is critical for ZEN to induce hepatotoxicity, and QG has anti-inflammatory activity. QG has a strong inhibitory effect on the inflammatory response of Caco-2 cells induced by silver nanoparticles ( Rufino et al, 2021 ). Besides, QG has antiviral activity, which positively maintains liver health and stability ( Seyedi et al, 2016 ).…”

“…For example, QG inhibits the production of macrophage-derived chemokine by human keratinocytes. As a result, it is used as an immunotherapeutic agent in treating atopic dermatitis ( Rufino et al, 2021 ). Besides, QG has biological functions such as anti-virus, anti-diabetes, and anti-hyperlipidemia ( Seyedi et al, 2016 ; Wang et al, 2016 ).…”

Interactions between Nanoparticles and Intestine

“…In vitro experiments on intestinal cells highlighted increased ROS production and inflammatory response; for example, the oxidative stress response leading to IL-8 secretion in Caco2 cells after 21 h of exposure to Ag NPs [218], or the increased presence of ROS and consequent increase in the Bax/bcl2 ratio seen in cancerous (HCT116) and non-cancerous cells (NCM460) [219]. This effects could be partially modulated by the use of flavonoids, capable of protecting Caco2 from Ag NPs citotoxicity and preventing neutrophil oxidative burst, considering also the increased susceptibility to cytotoxic effects with ongoing inflammation [220,221]. Moreover, dysbiosis in gut microbiota, similar to the one of obese subjects, was observed in mice exposed to Ag NPs [222], whereas in vitro studies showed that microbiota changes due to Ag NPs were more relevant than for TiO 2 [223], and that the concomitant use of probiotics can reduce their impact [19].…”

Inhibition mechanism investigation of quercetagetin as a potential tyrosinase inhibitor

“…Quercetagetin also enhances the antioxidant enzymatic activities in broilers tissue by Nrf2/ARE signal pathway ( Wu et al, 2022 ). In addition, quercetagetin displays immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory to inhibit the release of macrophage-derived chemokine ( Rufino et al, 2021 ). Besides, quercetagetin display other beneficial functions, including anti-virus and anti-diabetes ( Seyedi et al, 2016 ).…”