Histopathological, Biochemical and Genetic Profile Post Application of Free Silver Nanoparticles and H2O2 Combined Form in Vitro Study

Current studyaimed to evaluate the antiviral activities of free silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and hydrogen peroxide combined silver nanoparticles(AgNP-H2O2) compared to standard IFN-α2a against Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The related biochemical and pathological changes as well asthe expression levels of antiviral biomarkers, namely Mx-A and 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'-5'-OAS)were investigated. Cytotoxicity of AgNPs and AgNP-H2O2 was monitored against Vero cellsusing MTT assay. Data revealed that the toxicity was concentration dependent and AgNP-H2O2was significantly (P<0.05)toxicthan AgNPs recording an IC50value of 0.864 and7μM/ml, respectively. Oxidative stress markers showed elevated reactive oxygen species and decreased lactate dehydrogenase post treatment with AgNPs and AgNP-H2O2 compared to untreated cellcontrol. Assessment of the antiviral activity of tested particles prior to infection showed thatAgNP-H2O2exhibited higher reduction in the viralinfectivity titer in the order of 76.21% and 57.89% compared to that recorded post infection (34.11% and 36.84%) against HSV-1 and VSV, respectively. Similar pattern was observed in case of AgNPs but with lower depletion rate while, the highest depletion was in case of IFN-α2a. The percentage reduction in the plaque forming units against MERS-CoV were 33.3%, 66.6% and 87.5% post treatment with AgNPs, AgNP-H2O2 and IFN-α2a, respectively.MxA and2'-5'-OAS genes exhibited a signifinat (P<0.05) up-regrulationin. Pathological changes post treatment with tested particles showed signs of apoptosis indicating that although these particles exhibited promising antiviralpotentials, buttheir toxicity profile should be considered.