Protective Effect of Jatropha Tanjorensis-Based Green Selenium Nanoparticles Against Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) contamination remains a significant environmental concern due to its adverse effects on liver and genetic expression. This study explores the protective prospect of green synthesized selenium nanoparticles using jatropha tanjorensis against cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity and TGFβ1 mRNA gene expression in rats. Forty male albino rats were grouped into eight (n=5 per group). Group I served as control; rats received 1mL of 0.9% deionized water. Group II, the negative control received Cadmium (0.5 mg/kg BW), Group III: rats received Gext (800 mg/kg BW). Group IV: rats received SeNPs (0.5 mg//kg BW). Group V: rats received Gext-SeNPs (0.5mg//kg BW). Group VI: rats received Cd (0.5 mg/kg BW) + Gext  ( 800mg/kg BW). Group VII: rats received Cd (0.5 mg/kg BW) + SeNPs (0.5mg/kg BW). Group VIII: rats received Cd (0.5 mg/kg BW) + Gext-SeNPs (0.5mg/kg BW). All treatment were orally administed. The treatment lasted for 28 days. Result indicates that Cd induced hepatotoxicity in rats and elevated TGFβ1 mRNA expression. Cd exposure increased liver Cd accumulation (0.164 ppm vs. 0.028 ppm in control), oxidative stress, and TGFβ1 mRNA expression, while decreasing catalase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Gext-SeNPs significantly reduced Cd accumulation (0.026 ppm), restored antioxidant levels, and downregulated TGFβ1 expression, demonstrating protective effects against Cd-induced hepatotoxicity.