The effects of oral silver nanoparticles and propolis on level of lipid peroxidation in male Wistar rats

Objective: Oxidative stress is a leading factor in the development of silver nanoparticle-induced toxicity. This study evaluated the effects of oral prescription of different doses of silver nanoparticles and propolis on lipid peroxidation in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The male wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. Control group and three different treatment groups with oral prescription of 30 ppm, 60 ppm, and 60 ppm of silver nanoparticles with 200 mg/kg of propolis. The Serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by TBARS assay using Thiobarbituric acid (TBA). Results: The Serum level of MDA as a marker of lipid peroxidation in the control group was 1.92 mM/ml, and in other groups that received silver nanoparticles (30 ppm,60 ppm, 60 ppm with 200 mg/kg propolis) were respectively 2.82, 3.83 and 2.62 mM/ml. MDA level also increased at the doses of 30 ppm and 60 ppm compared to the control group and decreased when propolis was prescribed with silver nanoparticles in the third group; however, its value did not reach the level of the control group. Minimal levels of serum lipid peroxidation were observed when silver and propolis nanoparticles were administered to male rats. Conclusion: The mixture of silver nanoparticles and propolis reduces the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles; not only it preserves but also increases the efficiency of this compound in medical applications.