Ameliorative Effects of Indole-3-Carbinol and/or Sulforaphane Against Gold Nanoparticle-Induced Cytotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are the most commonly used metal nanoparticles due to their promising characteristics. However, application of GNs in medical and biological fields has resulted in toxicity to several organs. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and sulforaphane (SF) are the two well-known natural compounds, largely present in cruciferous vegetables. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic efficacy of I3C and SF alone or in combination against GN-induced renal and cardiac toxicities. Fifty male Albino rats were randomly segregated into five groups with each group containing 10 rats; G1, control; G2, intraperitoneally administered with a suspension of GNPs (10 nm in size; 20 µg/kg body weight (b.w.) for 7 days; G3, GN-injected rats, supplemented with SF (5 mg/kg b.w) daily for 7 days; G4, GN-injected rats, supplemented orally with I3C (150 mg/kg b.w.) for 7 days and G5, GN-injected rats supplemented orally with SF and I3C daily for 7 days. GN treatment significantly disturbed kidney functional markers, as evidenced by significantly increased levels of urea, creatinine and creatine kinase. Additionally, GNs significantly increased renal and cardiac levels of malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and interleukin-6, and depleted, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. In contrast, treatment with I3C and SF alone or in combination significantly restored all the parameters to their near normal levels. GN induced histological abnormalities were also significantly attenuated. Taken together, the data indicate that the SF and I3C are more effective when given separately than when given together in lowering GN-induced toxicity by their ability to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation.