Synthesis and Exploration of the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Silver Nanoparticle of Propolis and GC–MS Profiling

In the current study, propolis aqueous extract was utilized as biological reducing agent to fabricate its silver nanoparticles (Prop-AgNPs). First, the extract was subjected to GC–MS analysis to determine its chemical profile. After characterization, the Prop-AgNPs were evaluated for its biological potential in comparison with parental raw extract. The SEM images revealed the NPs as spherical or somewhat spherical in shape with particle size distribution ranging from 80 to 100 nm. The antioxidant potentials of the extract and fabricated nanoparticles were determined against DPPH free radical producing substantial antioxidant activities with IC₅₀ values of 55.07 and 46.62 μg/mL correspondingly, whereas for standard ascorbic acid, its value recorded was 30.35 μg/mL. The Prop-AgNPs was then evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory potentials in animal model. Inflammation was induced by administering turpentine oil to lower limb of rat, and subsequently, changes in biochemical and hematological parameters were monitored. Animals were administered with doses of extract and Prop-AgNPs for 14 days, whereas biochemical parameters were monitored at day 7th and 14th of the study. Comparatively, the results were more promising on day 14th of the study. The creatinine level for the normal group were 0.55 ± 0.08 and 0.50 ± 0.04 at day 7th and 14th, whereas for negative control group, the results were 0.88 ± 0.04 (p < 0.001) and 0.94 ± 0.03 correspondingly; while for standard group, the recorded values were 0.57 ± 0.09 and 0.53 ± 0.07. Groups treated with 0.5 and 1 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) doses of extract has creatinine level 0.78 ± 0.23 (p < 0.05) and 0.69 ± 0.13 at day 7th while 0.69 ± 0.13 and 0.65 ± 1.15 at day 14th. Group treated with dose of 0.5 mg and 1 mg/kg b.w. of the synthesized nanoparticle has creatinine level 0.76 ± 0.03 and 0.63 ± 0.09 at day 7th while 0.71 ± 0.09 and 0.60 ± 0.05 at day 14th of the study. Both the extract and Prop-AgNPs normalized the level of blood urea, SGPT, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase compared with normal control and negative control groups among which the results of blood urea, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The level of hemoglobin for the normal control, negative control, and standard groups was 10.4 ± 0.13, 12.5 ± 0.68 (p < 0.001) and 12.4 ± 0.43 (p < 0.001) at day 7th, whereas at day 14th, the results were 12.1 ± 00.52, 13.8 ± 0.57 (p < 0.001), and 12.6 ± 0.54 indicated more promising changes the studied parameter. The group treated with 0.5 and 1 mg/kg b.w. doses of propolis extract has hemoglobin levels 11.9 ± 0.27 (p < 0.001) and 11.8 ± 0.31 (p < 0.001) at day 7th, whereas at day 14th, the results were 12.9 ± 0.24, and 12.8 ± 0.54 while equivalent doses of nanoparticles resulted in hemoglobin level as 11.8 ± 0.38 (p < 0.001) and 12.7 ± 0.41 (at day 7th) and 13.9 ± 0.34 and 12.2 ± 0.74 (at day 14th). Similarly, levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils were statistically more significant (p < 0.001) for nanoparticles treated groups. This study found positive impact of Prop-AgNPs on inflammation induced by turpentine oil by improving/reversing changes brought in biochemical and hematological parameters pointing toward its anti-inflammatory potential that could be utilized in drug formulation.