Kiyimba Kenedy, Ahmed Ayaz, Choudhary Muhammad Iqbal, Rehman Khadija, Hasan Syed Mehmood, Jabbar Abdul, Obakiro Samuel Baker, Shah Muhammad Raza, Munyendo Were Lincoln, Guantai Eric M, Gavamukulya Yahaya
Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Natural Products Research and Innovation Centre, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
PLoS One. 2025 May 9;20(5):e0323260. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323260. eCollection 2025.
Uterine fibroids affect a substantial proportion of women in their reproductive age. Despite their effectiveness, surgical options such as hysterectomy are invasive, costly, and associated with recurrences. Pharmacological treatments are non-curative, only alleviate symptoms, and associated with adverse effects. Polyscias fulva (Araliaceae) is traditionally used to manage uterine fibroids in East Africa. In this study we synthesized Polyscias fulva silver nanoparticles (PFAgNPs), evaluated their toxicity and activity against monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced uterine fibroids in Wistar albino rats. The UV-visible spectroscopy showed maximal absorbance at 425 nm with adequate stability at varying temperatures, pH and storage conditions. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis revealed an average hydrodynamic size of 107.4 d.nm, polydispersity index of 0.264, and zeta potential of -18.3 mV. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the crystalline nature of PFAgNPs with an average size of 25 nm while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a spherical shape with an average size of 35 nm. The PFAgNPs caused lethargy, hyperventilation, and hyperactivity at a dose of 300 mg/kg BW, whereas 2000 mg/kg caused severe toxicity, resulting in death in acute toxicity testing. The no observed adverse effect level was 50 mg/kgBW, the lowest observed adverse effect level was 100 mg/kgBW, and median lethal dose (LD50) was 1000 mg/kg. The PFAgNPs significantly decreased (P < 0.05) serum proteins, cholesterol, estrogen and progesterone alongside preservation of the histoarchitecture of the uterus. Further research is needed to investigate the clinical safety of PFAgNPs in managing uterine fibroids.
子宫肌瘤影响着很大比例的育龄女性。尽管手术治疗方法如子宫切除术有效，但具有侵入性、成本高且会复发。药物治疗无法治愈，只能缓解症状，且伴有不良反应。在东非，传统上使用南洋鸭脚木（五加科）来治疗子宫肌瘤。在本研究中，我们合成了南洋鸭脚木银纳米颗粒（PFAgNPs），评估了它们对味精（MSG）诱导的Wistar白化大鼠子宫肌瘤的毒性和活性。紫外可见光谱显示在425nm处有最大吸光度，在不同温度、pH值和储存条件下具有足够的稳定性。动态光散射（DLS）分析显示平均流体动力学尺寸为107.4 d.nm，多分散指数为0.264，zeta电位为 -18.3 mV。X射线衍射（XRD）证实了PFAgNPs的晶体性质，平均尺寸为25nm，而扫描电子显微镜（SEM）显示为球形，平均尺寸为35nm。在急性毒性试验中，PFAgNPs在剂量为300mg/kg体重时会导致嗜睡、呼吸急促和多动，而2000mg/kg会导致严重毒性，导致死亡。未观察到不良反应水平为50mg/kg体重，最低观察到不良反应水平为100mg/kg体重，半数致死剂量（LD50）为1000mg/kg。PFAgNPs显著降低（P < 0.05）血清蛋白、胆固醇、雌激素和孕酮，同时保留了子宫的组织结构。需要进一步研究来调查PFAgNPs治疗子宫肌瘤的临床安全性。
