Hematopoietic and Antioxidant Activities of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by Aqueous Extract of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Seed

摘要

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed has been used for long time as a hematopoietic and antioxidant agent in traditional therapeutics. In the present study, aqueous fenugreek seed extract (FSE) was used to synthesize gold nanoparticle (FG-GNP) and its physico-chemical characteristics were carried out by UV-Vis spectra, fluorescent activity, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. UV-Vis spectra showed the maximum absorbance of GNP at 535 nm. It showed fluorescence quenching activity when compared with FSE. Its hydrodynamic diameter was 170.6 nm with poly-dispersity index 0.286. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the shape of GNP was nearly spherical with 5-20 nm size. Hematopoietic and antioxidant properties of GNP were studied in experimental anemic Swiss male albino mice. Anemia was induced in animals by blood loss at regular interval. FG-GNP treatment significantly increased blood hemoglobin, total count of RBC, hematocrit value, serum iron concentration and decreased total iron binding capacity in experimental anemic mice. Treatment with FG-GNP increased the antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione activity significantly (P < 0.05) and caused no change in lipid peroxidation. Further studies regarding molecular effects of FG-GNP are warranted.