Anticancer redox action of gallium nanoparticles combined with a low dosage of γ-radiation against hepatocellular carcinoma in male rats

Background and objective Nanotechnology affords a new valuable field for the preparation of intrinsic nano anticancer drugs through green synthesis of plant active extracts supported with gallium nanoparticles (GaNPs) to provide us with a new Ga form of treatment with lower toxicity risk. The current study aimed at evaluation of a new GaNP form with grape seed extract as an anticancer agent against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. Moreover, the effect of the exposure to a low dose of γ-radiation on the treatment and prevention of tumor was studied. Materials and methods The cytotoxic effect was measured against the HepG2 tumor cell line. An experimental design was optimized using 80 Wistar male rats (120−150 g) divided into eight groups, with 10 rats each. The animals are administered with diethylnitrosamine to induce HCC and then orally administered with a dose of 38.5 mg/kg from the GaNPs in combination with the exposure of the total body to a low dose of γ-radiation (0.5 Gy). Result and conclusion The combination of GaNPs/γ-radiation demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell line with an IC50 of 388.8 µg/ml. Moreover, the results indicated normal structures in the liver architecture, and the conventional biochemical assays showed significant depletion in lipid peroxide, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities and creatinine levels. Additionally, there was a significant increase for the antioxidant state parameter in the form of a pronounced reduction of glutathione level. The ameliorative effect of the treatment was well appreciated by the histopathological alteration results. Therefore, it can be concluded that GaNPs/γ-radiation can serve as a good therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC that ought to attract more studies.