The Palliative Effects of Moringa Oleifera –Mediated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Against Mercury – Induced Immune Responses and Mmp9 mRNA Expression in Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the palliative effects of Moringa oleifera-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles (MOLE-FeNPs) against mercury-induced immune responses and Mmp-9 mRNA expression in rats. Moringa oleifera leaves were extracted and utilized in the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, which were characterized using UV–Vis, SEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR analyses. Forty male rats were divided into eight groups each receiving combinations of MOLE, FeNPs, MOLE-FeNPs, and mercury for 28 days. Mercury exposure significantly elevated inflammatory cytokines (INF-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β1, NF-κB, IgM, IGF-1) and Mmp-9 mRNA expression. Treatment with MOLE, FeNPs, and MOLE-FeNPs ameliorated these effects, with MOLE-FeNPs showing the most pronounced reversal, restoring parameters toward control levels. The green-synthesized FeNPs demonstrated potent immunomodulatory properties, indicating their potential as a protective supplement against mercury-induced immune deregulation and apoptosis related gene expression.