The application of nanoparticles green-formulated by Lycium barbarum leaf aqueous extract in the treatment of myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, remain a main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and raising attention has been directed toward plant-derived bioactive compounds and green nanotechnology for developing safer remedial approaches. This research described a green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) utilizing leaf extract from Lycium barbarum. Several spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum, and their remedial efficacies against myocardial infarction was examined. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited predominantly spherical morphology. Based on the XRD data, the five characteristic signals observed at 36.4°, 42.5°, and 61.7° correspond to the (111), (200), and (220) planes of cuprous oxide, respectively. The signals present in the EDX diagram, located at 0.22 keV for C Lα, 0.51 keV for O Lα, and 0.93 keV for Cu Lα, confirm the formation of Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum. METHODS: In the in vivo condition, mice were randomly assigned into five experimental groups: control group, untreated myocardial infarction group, Propranolol hydrochloride (5 mg/kg) + myocardial infarction, Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum (80 µg/kg) + myocardial infarction, and Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum (160 µg/kg) + myocardial infarction. Animals in the treatment groups received 0.5 mL of Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum orally through gavage once daily for 14 days. Treatment was initiated before myocardial infarction induction and continued throughout the study period. The untreated myocardial infarction and control groups received 0.5 mL normal saline using the same administration schedule. A myocardial infarction was induced with isoproterenol in mice. Following treatment with Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum at different dosages, cardiac function was assessed using electrocardiogram (ECG), immunological, molecular, and biochemical investigations. The PPAR-γ/NF-κB and cytokines activation was evaluated using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with untreated myocardial infarction animals, Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum treatment significantly improved ST-segment abnormalities. Additionally, Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum improve ventricular wall integrity and reduce myocardial tissue damage. Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum also reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in the myocardial infarction mice heart. The nanoparticles beneficial effects may be associated with the phosphorylated gene expression normalization. Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum significantly decreased cell death and the expression of inflammatory cytokines. According to available data, Cu NPs@Lycium barbarum has cardioprotective effects on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction, which may be related to PPAR-γ activation and NF-κB signaling inhibition. CONCLUSION: The present study offers a contemporary corrective approach for the myocardial infarction therapeutic management. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.