Neurotherapeutic effects of prodigiosin conjugated with silver-nanoparticles in rats exposed to cadmium chloride-induced neurotoxicity

Abstract Prodigiosin is a red pigment produced by Serratia marcescens strain. Bacterial prodigiosin and its synthetic derivatives are efficacious antioxidants and proapoptotic agents. This study illustrates a new approach for use of prodigiosin conjugated silver nanoparticles (PG-AgNP2) against cadmium chloride (CdCl2) induced neurotoxicity in rats. Rats were (ip) injected with Cd (6.5 mg/kg) for 7 days with or without PG-AgNP2 (3 mg/kg). The concentration of Cd, DA, NE, 5-HT, amino acids, NO, MDA, SOD, GSH, catalase, TNF-α, IL-6, Bax, Bcl2 and Caspase-3. The Cd-intoxicated group showed a significant increase in Cd concentration in brain tissue, in addition, to an increase in MDA and NO and a decrease in the content of neurotransmitters (DA, NE, and 5-HT), inhibitory amino acids, and level of all studied antioxidant enzymes. PG-AgNP2 treatment, significantly reduced Cd-induced brain tissue injury as indicated by increased antioxidant molecules, neurotransmitters (DA, NE, and 5-HT), and inhibitory amino acids accompanied by lower oxidative stress indices (MDA and NO) and excitatory amino acids in brain tissue. PG-AgNP2 decreased inflammatory mediators including pro-inflammatory cytokines and prevented the development of apoptosis in the brain tissue. Our findings suggest that PG-AgNP2 can act as a therapeutic agent against neuronal impairments associated with Cd exposure.