Background: Exposure to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) is capable of inducing experimental epilepsy in rats. As a result of the use of anticonvulsant treatment, obesity and metabolic syndrome are commonly observed in patients with epilepsy. Prodigiosin (PG) is a red pigment synthesized by bacterial species with important pharmaceutical and biological activities. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant activities of silver nanoparticles conjugated with PG (PG-AgNPs) versus pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epileptic seizures. 
 
Methods: Rats were assigned into six experimental groups: control; PG-AgNP (300 mg/kg); PTZ (60 mg/kg, epileptic model); sodium valproate (600 mg/kg) + PTZ; PG-AgNP + PTZ and sodium valproate (VPA)+PG-AgNP+ PTZ. The treatment duration is extended to 7 days. 
 
Result: Induction of epilepsy resulted in a significant decrease in monoamines (5-HT, DA, NE), glutamate, aspartate, serine and a significant increase in GABA, glycine and taurine in the brain. In addition, it causes an increase in serum insulin and leptin and a significant decrease in serum glucose and disturbance in oxidative and antioxidant system. Additionally, PG-AgNP enhanced the antioxidant capacity of brain tissue by activating antioxidants and decreasing the levels of pro-oxidants. In addition, it caused decrease in insulin resistant and leptin level in serum accordingly caused increase in the content of blood glucose level which enhance the metabolic rate and minimize the increase in the body weight as a result of anticonvulsant (VPA). Interestingly, PG-AgNP restored the PTZ-induced imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids and improved monoaminergic and cholinergic transmission.

Potential Neuromodulatory Effects of Prodigiosin-conjugated Silver Nanoparticles: Implications for Epilepsy Management and Their Impact on Obesity in Rat Model

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a frequent environmental toxin that causes harm to humans, animals, and plants. In the current Study, the therapeutic effects of Prodigiosin (a red pigment generated by Serratia marcescens strain) conjugated silver nanoparticles (PG-AgNP2) on cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced testicular toxicity in rats were assessed.

Methods: CdCl2 (6.5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into male albino rats followed by an i.p. injection of PG-AgNP2 (3 mg/kg) for seven days.

Result: As a result of Cd exposure, a considerable decline in the amount of serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus was observed. In addition, injection with CdCl2 caused an increase in residual Cd levels in the testis and a decrease in serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone. Furthermore, testicular tissue suffered from considerable oxidative damage due to CdCl2 exposure. Malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were increased by CdCl2, and natural antioxidant proteins such as glutathione and its derivative enzymes, GPx, GRx, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were less abundant. In addition, the inflammatory mediators (TNF-&alpha;) and (IL-6) were markedly increased as a result of Cd exposure. Testicular cells exposed to CdCl2 underwent apoptosis, as shown by increased Bax and caspase 3 expression and decreased Bcl2 expression. Our research indicates that PG-AgNP2 may function as a natural remedy to ameliorate harm in the hypothalamic pituitary testicular axis associated with CdCl2 exposure.

Potential Neuromodulatory Effects of Prodigiosin-conjugated Silver Nanoparticles: Implications for Epilepsy Management and Their Impact on Obesity in Rat Model

Therapeutic Potency of Prodigiosin Conjugated with Silver-nanoparticles in Male Rats Exposed to Cadmium Chloride-induced Testicular Toxicity