Abstract

Herein, a bio-inspired synthesis of AuNPs immobilized magnetic ferrite nanocomposite has been demonstrated to be templated over Calendula persica flower extract. The plant phytomolecules facilitated the eco-friendly reduction and stabilization of the Fe3O4/Au hybrid nanomaterial. Thereafter, it was characterized by a range of analytical methods like SEM, TEM, EDX, elemental mapping, VSM, XRD and ICP-OES. In vivo design, the model of gestational diabetes mellitus rats were established with streptozotocin by intraperitoneal injection. Model rats were randomly divided into Fe3O4/AuNPs 20 μg/kg group, 40 μg/kg group, 80 mg/kg group, gestational diabetes mellitus group and normal pregnancy group (n = 15). Fe3O4/AuNPs were applied by intragastric administration for 25 days. On the last day, serum levels of samples blood Glucose, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALP (alkalinephosphatase) enzymes were measured. After tissue processing, 5 μm sections of the liver were prepared and the total volume of the liver, hepatocytes, sinusoids, portal vein, central vein, hepatic arteries and bile ducts were estimated. Fe3O4/AuNPs could decrease the raised levels of AST and ALP enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. The fasting blood glucose level decreased in gestational diabetes rats treated with Fe3O4/AuNPs as compared to the model group. The volume of the hepatocytes and sinusoids which was increased significantly by administration of streptozotocin, show a significant decrease after the treatment of a high dose of Fe3O4/AuNPs. The volume of the portal vein and bile ducts did not show significant changes in experimental groups, but the volume of the central vein and hepatic arteries indicated changes in Fe3O4/AuNPs groups. The present research demonstrates the hepatoprotective and antidiabetic properties of the AuNPs, offering to use as a hepatoprotective and antidiabetic supplement for preventing gestational diabetes mellitus. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.