The targeted delivery of chitosan nanoparticles to treat indoxacarb: induced lung fibrosis in rats

Abstract

Background This study evaluated the effects of chitosan nanoparticles (Ch-NPs) on indoxacarb (INDOX)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in in vivo and in vitro models. In in vivo studies, 40 male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats/group): Group 1, normal control; Group 2, INDOX (600 mg/kg b.w.); Group 3, Ch-NPs (2 mg/kg b.w.); and Group 4, Ch-NPs + INDOX. Characterization of Ch-NPs was done measuring dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and antioxidant activity studies after various Ch-NPs treatments. From in vitro studies, the impact of Ch-NPs on A549 lung carcinoma cell proliferation was also examined. Results Our data indicated that INDOX provoked considerable lung damage as indicated by decreased antioxidant enzyme levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, increased production of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde serum levels, elevated myeloperoxidase activity, increased hydroxyproline and cytokeratin-19 serum levels, and significantly upregulated matrix metallopeptidase-9 and microRNA-101 gene expression levels when compared with controls. Furthermore, histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations of cyclooxygenase-2 in the lung tissue revealed marked inflammation, severe fibrosis, and neutrophil infiltration. Critically, Ch-NPs treatment significantly reversed INDOX-induced changes in lung biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical outcomes. Conclusion Therefore, Ch-NPs may function as potential therapeutic drugs for lung fibrosis owing to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities with neutrophil infiltration.