Augmented reparative potential of adipose-derived stem cells with silver nanoparticles against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats

Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) is a widely used medicinal plant. The previous literature studies demonstrated its diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. The present study involves the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from lemongrass and their characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of silver nanoparticles derived from the aqueous extract of lemongrass (LG-NPs) in comparison with the rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) treated with lemongrass-derived silver nanoparticles (LG-NPs + ASCs). To assess the hepatoprotective effect of LG-NPs + ASCs, CCl4-induced fibrosis model rats were employed and it was revealed that transplanting LG-NPs + ASCs decreased fibrosis development compared to transplanting naive ASCs and LG-NPs, as demonstrated by improved hepatic architecture and functions. Additionally, the liver parenchyma's expression of fibrosis-associated gene markers Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1), Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1), collagen type I alpha 1(Col1α1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) reduced after LG-NPs + ASCs transplantation. These results suggest that pretreating ASCs with LG-NPs increase their effectiveness.