MOLECULAR AND MECHANISTIC INSIGHT TO THE ROLE OF MORINGA OLEIFERA (DRUMSTICK TREE) MEDIATED TIO2 NANOPARTICLES IN HEPATIC CYTOPROTECTION

Abstract

Liver diseases are one of the main health issues affecting the whole world, and oxidative stress has a central role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Due to adverse reactions and poor clinical tolerance, treatment using traditional antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine is gradually shifting toward plantderived alternatives. Despite hepatoprotective potential of plants, the improper dosage forms of crude extracts, patient non compliance and buffering remain major challenges in their therapeutic use. These reasons demand safer, proper dosage and more bioavailable plant derived alternatives. This research was aimed to address these challenges. The novelty of this study resides in evaluation of the liver protective tendency of green synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles using Pakistan origin Moringa oleifera leaf extract, it is not clearly reported in previous studies. It was hypothesized that green synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles will not only retain efficacy of phytochemicals but will exhibit greater antioxidant, hepatoprotective activity due to increased bioavailability and calculated dosage. Nanoparticles formation was successful, and stable, bioactive TiO2 NPs were produced and were confirmed by UV-Vis (270- 320 nm), FTIR (Ti-O-Ti at 500-600 cm-1) and DLS (200-500 nm; (PDI < 0.5), Zeta potential -24 mV)., SEM showed granular morphology. Hepatoprotective activity in mice intoxicated with APAP was tested in vivo (n = 5/group). TiO2 NPs treatment improved biochemical measurements significantly reversing the toxic effects (ALT dropped to 48.07 ± I.22 U/L , AST to 56.55 ± 1.63 U/L , Restoration of CAT and GSHs, as well as a decreased MDA by more than 60% (p < 0.001) were also observed in NPs. Histopathological examination showed almost standard hepatic lobular architecture, and less necrosis. The findings bridge ethnomedicine and nanotechnology, highlighting Moringa oleifera TiO2 nanoconjugates as promising biocompatible and specific dose dependant therapy for oxidative liver damage.These results build the bases for the future translational applications of plant based, eco friendly nanomedicines for the hepatic diseases.