The Treatment of Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma by a Novel Curcumin Green-Formulated Ag NPs in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Curcumin, a yellow pigment found in the diet, exhibits a range of pharmacological effects. One of the most notable is its anti-inflammatory efficacies, which have been indicated to be important in the treatment of bronchial asthma through numerous animal studies conducted in vivo and in vitro. Recently, the natural compounds green-formulated silver nanoparticles have been used due to the high anti-inflammatory efficacies. In this study, we introduce a method for producing silver nanoparticles in an environmentally friendly manner using an aqueous extract of curcumin to explore its potential anti-asthma properties. By employing different analytical techniques, we were able to detect the nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) green synthesis was validated through ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The Ag NPs formation was observed in our X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, while the morphological images displayed a spherical shape. The results of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate the Ag NPs successful formation in a spherical shape, with a size estimated to be under 70 nm. In the animal experiment, four groups were employed, consisting of sensitized rats to ovalbumin, non-sensitized rats, sensitized rats treated with silver NPs, and rats treated with dexamethasone. The rats were given ovalbumin to trigger asthma, followed by exposure to a 2% ovalbumin aerosol. After 24 h from the sensitization process, the rats were humanely put down. The evaluation included lung pathological changes, total protein (TP), immunoglobulin E (IgE), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 4 (IL-4), and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. The levels of IL-4, TP, PLA2, and IgE decreased following the introduction of AgNPs. Also, a significant reduction in the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was seen, suggesting a transition towards a more harmonized immune response. The therapeutic effects of Ag NPs greatly enhanced the pathological conditions in sensitized rats. Silver nanoparticles exhibit a stronger remedial potential in treating asthma compared to dexamethasone, as they demonstrate a more pronounced ameliorative impact on immunological, inflammatory, and pathological aspects.