Elaeagnus angustifolia extract green-formulated zinc nanoparticles possess a protective activity against nicotine-induced neurotoxicity

Abstract

Abstract According to the neuroprotective effects of Zn metal and Elaeagnus angustifolia leaves separately, we tried to synthesize a modern neuroprotective drug (ZnNPs in an aqueous medium by E. angustifolia leaves extract). After ZnNPs synthesizing, they were analyzed by UV-Vis. and FT-IR spectroscopy and FE-SEM. The sizes of 10–50 nm were seen by FE-SEM images in our nanoparticles. In addition, the nanoparticles were spherical morphologically. To investigate the antioxidant effects, DPPH free radicals test was used. The ZnNPs removed half of the free radicals at the 27 µg/mL concentration. In the neurological experiments, we concluded that Nicotine causes cell death in nerve-like PC12 cells by inducing apoptosis and cell inflammation. Zinc nanoparticles repressed the inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) production, caspase 3 activity, and mitochondrial membrane disruption. These events showed that zinc nanoparticles repressed Nicotine-induced cell death in PC12 cells, in a dose-dependent manner.