Phytochemical characterization and anti-arthritic potential of green-synthesized CuO nanoparticles derived from the Bistorta amplexicaulis root extract

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that mainly causes joint damage. The patient experiences loss of appetite, pain, fever, and fatigue. The present study was designed to phytochemically characterize and evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of green-synthesized copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) using the hydroalcoholic extract of Bistorta amplexicaulis roots in an adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model.

Material and methods: For this purpose, crude powdered plant material was used for proximate analysis, and the plant extract was assessed for qualitative phytochemical analysis, mineral contents, and flavonoid and phenolic contents, as well as quantitative phytochemical analysis through reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The in vitro antioxidant activity of both extracts was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The biosynthesized CuO NPs from the Bistorta amplexicaulis extract showed anti-arthritic activity due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols, which showed a pain reliever effect by blocking the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme and has immune suppressant activity, thus securing the joint from destruction. The nanoparticles were characterized by zeta size, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and FTIR spectroscopy. Forty-eight albino rats were divided randomly into six treatment groups.

Results and disscussion: The zeta size and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were 186.8 nm and -9.23 mV, respectively. Joint stiffness, spleen weight, thymus weight, and paw thickness showed a significant decrease after treatment with NPs. The hematological parameters such as red blood cells (RBCs) and hemoglobin showed a significant increase, while platelets and white blood cells (WBCs) showed a significant decrease in NP-treated groups. C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), liver and kidney function biomarkers, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels showed a significant decrease at both low and high doses of green-synthesized CuO nanoparticles from the Bistorta amplexicaulis root extract. The final data were analyzed by one way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's multi-comparison test.

Conclusion: So, from this study, it was concluded that both the plant root extract and green-synthesized CuO nanoparticles have anti-arthritic potential, but CuO NPs showed remarkable results.

Keywords: Bistorta amplexicaulis; anti-inflammatory activity; autoimmune diseases; copper oxide nanoparticles; green synthesis; phytochemical analysis; rheumatoid arthritis.