Therapeutic assessment of lemon peel extract mediated gold nanoparticles against lead and arsenic induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats

Since the time of Nagarjuna (800AD), gold has been used as a rejuvenator to enhance strength, and potency and to delay the aging process.In India, Ayurvedic physicians have been using gold ash (Swarnabhasma) as an aphrodisiac, to treat asthma, wasting of muscles, and mental disorders, and to enhance memory, immunity, vitality, and longevity [1].Similar medical indications of gold can be found in many ancient medical classics.The lemon peel extract of citrus fruit [Citrus limon (Linn); Family: Rutaceae] is a rich source of flavonoids, glycosides, and coumarins; which may be exploited as reducing and ABSTRACT: Gold has been used since ancient times as a rejuvenator, and reproduction enhancer in males and can be used for alleviating reproductive toxicity.Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) exposure caused multiorgan toxicity, including reproductive organs.Therefore, a study was planned to assess the potential of lemon peel extract-mediated gold nanoparticles (LPGNP) on As and Pb-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.The LPGNP synthesized with lemon peel extract and HAuCl4 and characterized by UV-VIS spectral analysis, FTIR spectrometry, XRD analysis, Zeta potential measurement, NTA and FESEM.Sodium Arsenate and Lead Acetate were administered to rats @13.8mg/kg and 116.4 mg/kg, respectively for 14 days followed by LPGNP supplementation at @10 and 20 mg/kg for 6 weeks.Alterations in reproductive parameters, antioxidant enzymes and histopathology of testes were recorded from different groups.In the results, GNP formation is indicated by changes from pale yellow to dark purple color formation in a combined solution of lemon peel extract and HAuCl 4 .The peak absorbance at 557 nm confirms the synthesis of GNP.The LPGNP measures from 10 nm to 120 nm and the concentration was found to be 2.5 X 10 9 particles/ml.Our study showed serum testosterone concentration, sperm motility, total sperm count, sperm abnormalities, and sperm viability altered significantly in As and Pb toxic groups whereas LPGNP supplementation caused marked improvement.In histopathology of the testis, As and Pb caused degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules and sloughing of spermatogenic cells.These changes were observed as minimal in LPGNP-treated rats.Thus, LPGNP supplementation caused significant improvement against As and Pb-induced deleterious effects on the reproductive system.