Nutritional Evaluation and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Nano-formulated Selenium-Moringa Peregrine Seed Extract as a Promising Suppressor of TGF-β1/P38/NF-kβ Signaling Pathway in HgCl2 Intoxicated-Mice
Authors: Aborhyem Samar M. , Hamdy Reham A. , Hussein Mohammed A. , Eltawila Mahmoud M. 
Published: January 2025

Background:
Moringa peregrina, renowned for its extensive health benefits, continues to reveal
its therapeutic potential through ongoing research. The synthesis of Moringa peregrina extract-selenium
nanoparticles (MPE-SeNPs) has emerged as a promising approach in developing versatile therapeutic
agents.

Objective:
To evaluate the protective effects of MPE-SeNPs against oxidative damage and inflammation
caused by HgCl2 exposure in mice.

Methods:
The study involved extracting and characterizing the dried powdered seeds of Moringa peregrina
to determine their nutritional and bioactive contents. MPE-SeNPs were synthesized using plant extracts and
characterized through TEM, UV-Vis, and FT-IR techniques to assess their chelating and superoxide radical
scavenging activities. The LD50 of MPE-SeNPs was determined, and doses of 1/50 and 1/20 of the LD50
were administered to HgCl₂-exposed mice to evaluate lung protective effects. Biochemical analyses measured
plasma lipid profiles and lung antioxidant status, while gene expression of TGF-β1, P38, and NF-kβ in
lung tissue was analyzed. Histopathological examinations of lung tissues were conducted to observe structural
changes and fibrosis, providing a comprehensive assessment of the protective efficacy of MPE-SeNPs
against oxidative damage and inflammation.

Results:
The raw Moringa peregrine seeds contain approximately 27.81% fat, 32.10% protein, 13.11% fiber,
4.11% ash and 22.93% carbohydrate content. The phenolic and flavonoid content in debittered seeds is approximately
76.42 mg of GAE/g DE), and 15.55 mg of QE/g DE, respectively. However, MPE and MPESeNPs
exhibited chelating activity with 54 and 80.64% after 60 min. Additionally, at a concentration of 120
μg/mL, the superoxide radical scavenging activity was 71% for MPE and 93% for MPE-SeNPs after 5
minutes of incubation. The IC50 values recorded for MPE and MPE-SeNPs were 80.38 and 48.01 μg/mL,
respectively. MPE-SeNPs had an average size of approximately 130.63 nm. UV-Vis spectrum peaks and FTIR
identified functional groups associated with phenolics and flavonoids. LD50 of MPE-SeNPs was estimated
to be 773 mg/kg body weight. Oral administration of MPE and MPE-SeNPs led to improvements in plasma
lipid profile as well as lung antioxidant status. Moreover, downregulation of lung TGF-β1, P38, and NF-kβ
gene expression in HgCl2-intoxicated mice when treated with MPE-SeNPs. In addition, MPE-SeNPs improve
lung tissue by enhancing antioxidant enzymes, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and scavenging
free radicals.

Conclusion:
The study reveals that Moringa peregrina extract combined with selenium nanoparticles (MPESeNPs)
offers significant protection against oxidative damage induced by HgCl₂ exposure. The enhanced
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of MPE-SeNPs, particularly at a dose of 38.65 mg/kg body
weight, demonstrate their potential as a powerful natural therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. These findings
underscore the promise of MPE-SeNPs in improving lung health by mitigating oxidative stress, reducing
inflammation, and promoting tissue repair, paving the way for innovative treatments in respiratory medicine.