Hepatic Impact of Different Concentrations of Hibiscus rosa Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Rats

Nanomaterial, especially zinc oxide nanoparticles, has entered the manufacture of many materials used in daily lives. The current study aimed to assess the impact of three concentrations of hibiscus rosa zinc oxide nanoparticles (HrZnONPs) and hibiscus rosa extract (Hre) on the liver tissue and DNA fragmentation of liver cells. A total of ۳۵ adult male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: The first group which was the control (n=۷) did not receive any treatment. The remaining ۲۸ animals were randomly assigned to four groups. Group ۱ (n=۷) were subcutaneously injected with ۱۰۰mg\kg BW of Hibiscus rosa extract for ۶۰ days; the rats in group ۲ were subcutaneouslyinjected with ۲۵ mg\kg BW of HrZnONPs for ۶۰ days; rats in group ۳ were subcutaneouslyinjected with ۷۵mg\kg BW of HrZnONPs for ۶۰ days; rats in group ۴ were subcutaneously injected with ۱۰۰mg\kg BW of HrZnONPs for ۶۰ days.  The liver biomarkers, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have been assessed in serum at zero time, after one month, and after two months of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, all animals were euthanized, the liver was dissected, the specimen underwent a pathohistological investigation, and the percentage of DNA fragmentation was evaluated. The results pointed out that the rats which were treated with HrZnONPs at concentrations of ۷۵ and ۱۰۰ mg\kg B.W. demonstrated a salient elevation in serum AST, ALT, or ALP activity, a modulation in hepatic tissue architecture, and an elevated percentage of high DNA damage, as compared to those treated with HrZnONPs at a concentration of ۲۵ mg\kg B.W. On the other hand, the recorded data indicated that the administration of Hre has some ameliorative effects on AST, ALP, and ALT levels, histological cross-section, and the value of comet assay for liver cells due to the role of Hre antioxidant. In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that high doses of HrZnONPs had exerted more adverse effects, compared to low doses. Moreover, the findings confirmed the ameliorative impact of Hre on liver biomarkers, a histological cross-section of the liver, and DNA damage.