Effect of chitosan-silver nanoparticle composite-treated water on selected biochemical parameters of rats
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pharmacotherapy Group, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the impact of chitosan-silver nanoparticles (chitosan-AgNP) composite-treated
water on some biochemical parameters in the albino rats.
Methods: Water samples were pretreated with chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (chitosan-AgNPs)
prior to oral administration in a rodent model. Following a 28-day experimental period, serum
biochemical markers associated with hepatic and renal functions and enzymatic activities were
quantitatively assessed to evaluate potential physiological and metabolic alterations.
Results: Biochemical analysis revealed significant alterations in liver and kidney function markers in
rats exposed to contaminated water. Liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase
(AST), and γ-glytamyl transferase (GGT) activities were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while serum
ALP, AST and GGT levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in the contaminated water group
compared to control. Serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly higher in rats exposed to
contaminated water (90 ± 0.08 mg/dL and 21.73 ± 4.03 mg/dL, respectively) compared to the control
group (43 ± 0.13 mg/dL and 16.37 ± 1.97 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.05). Conversely, administration of
chitosan-AgNP-treated water significantly reduced these elevations, bringing the values closer to control
levels. Bacteriological analysis showed a drastic reduction in total coliform and fecal counts from 1.44 ×
10⁷ CFU/mL and 7.2 × 10⁶ CFU/mL, respectively, to 0 CFU/mL after 27 days of chitosan-AgNP
treatment.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that chitosan-AgNP treatment significantly reduces bacterial load in
water and positively affects selected biochemical parameters of albino rats, indicating its potential as a
water treatment option.