Background:
NN-32 toxin, which was obtained from Naja naja venom and showed cytotoxicity
on cancer cell lines. As the toxicity of NN-32 is the main hurdle in the process of drug development;
hence, we have conjugated NN-32 toxin with gold nanoparticles (GNP-NN-32) in order to
decrease the toxicity of NN-32 without reducing its efficacy, GNP-NN-32 alleviated the toxicity of
NN-32 in in vitro studies during the course of earlier studies. In continuation, we are evaluating in vivo
toxicity profile of NN-32 and GNP-NN-32 in the present study.
Objective:
To study in vivo toxicity profile of NN-32 and nanogold conjugated GNP-NN-32 from Naja
naja venom.
Materials and Methods:
We have carried out in vivo acute toxicity study to determine LD50 dose of
GNP-NN-32, in vivo sub-chronic toxicity for 30 days, haematology, serum biochemical parameters
and histopathology study on various mice tissues and in vitro cellular and tissue toxicity studies.
Results:
The LD50 dose of GNP-NN-32 was found to be 2.58 mg/kg (i.p.) in Swiss male albino mice.
In vivo sub-chronic toxicity showed significantly reduced toxicity of GNP-NN-32 as compared to
NN-32 alone.
Discussion:
In vitro cellular toxicity studies on human lymphocyte and mouse peritoneal macrophage
showed significant inhibition of cells by NN-32 alone.
Conclusion:
Conjugated GNP-NN-32 toxin showed less in vivo toxicity as compared to pure NN-32.
Dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes by a natural lung surfactant for pulmonary in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies
