Excess iron ion reduction in a thalassemia model using silver nanoparticles modified by the tannin fraction of Myrtus communis extract

Objective(s): Nowadays, iron ions intoxication is the center of attention of interest in the management and treatment of thalassemia and different sorts of anemia associated with regular blood transfusions. Due to the major side effects of current drugs, they should be replaced with safer alternatives. Thus, in this study, functionalized hybrid silver nanoparticles, as an emerging perspective, were investigated for absorbing excess iron ions and their removal in an animal thalassemia model. Methods: The silver nanoparticles were green-synthesized using the Myrtus communis leaf methanolic extact (MC-AgNPs). The produced hybrid nanoSorbents based on hydrolyzable tannin matrix loaded with silver nanoparticles were delivered to test for chelating iron in the blood of thalassemia mouse model with iron excess. MC-AgNPs and desferral were injected intraperitoneally four times a week for one month in mice with excess iron load. Total iron and serum Fe3 + content was assessed under a plasma-atomic spectrometry microscopy and a Fe3+ ion measuring kit, severally. The level of liver enzymes was assessed by an automated analysis. Also, hepatic enzyme levels were appraised by using an auto-analyzer based the corresponding kits. Morphological transformations of the liver were assessed through Prussian blue staining method. Results: Compared with iron overload mice, the serum iron content of mice treated with MC-AgNPs was significantly reduced. MC-AgNPs revealed satisfying effectiveness to chelate excess iron in mice. Conclusions: This method could be considered as a competitive option for lowering the level of excess iron in vivo.