Abstract
Aim: The current study aimed to identify the toxic effects of oral ingestion of different doses of silver oxide nanoparticle, for 21 days, on the liver, kidney and muscle tissues of mice by histopathological examination.
Materials and Methods: The nanoparticles of silver oxide (30-70 nm in diameter) were prepared by physical methods and administered orally to 3 experimental groups of BALB/c mice in the strength of 250, 375, and 500 mg/kg, respectively for 21 days. Liver, kidney, and muscle tissue specimens from control and nanoparticles exposed groups have been collected for histopathological evaluation.
Results: The liver and kidney tissue of the mice fed with 500 mg/kg of silver nanoparticles revealed portal inflammation in the liver tissue and mild interstitial inflammation in the renal tissue. There is no histopathological evidence of any toxic effects in the other groups The muscle tissue from all experimental groups is unremarkable.
Discussion: The dose, size of nanoparticles, duration, the route of exposure and limiting factors for nanoparticles induced toxic effects. Hence further studies with different variables regarding the nanoparticles exposure will be helpful for a better understanding of toxicity caused by nanoparticles.