PAKISTAN VETERINARY JOURNAL

Pak Vet J, 2025, 45(4) 1559-1571

Multifunctional biogenic selenium nanoparticles from Citrus sinensis peel: In vivo antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotective assessment in rat model

Amani Osman Shakak^1,2, Karima Bel Hadj Salah^1,3, Mada F. Ashkan¹, Safia M.A. Bahshwan¹, Abeer Mogadem⁴, Salwa Aljohani⁴, Maha A. Aljumaa⁵, Ebtihaj O. Alnasri⁶, Alanood A. Alfaleh⁶, Marzough Aziz Albalawi⁷, Amira K. Hajri⁷, Fawzyah Abdullah Al-Ghamdi⁸, Zahrah R. Alrayes⁹ and Imen Zghab*¹⁰

¹Biological Sciences Department, College of Science & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, 21911, Saudi Arabia; ²University of Shendi, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, PO Box 142, Shendi, Sudan; ³Laboratory of Transmissible Diseases and Biologically Active Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir; Monastir 5019; Tunisia; ⁴Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia;⁵Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia; ⁶Food and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; ⁷Department of Chemistry, Alwajh College, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia; ⁸Department of Biological Science, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; ⁹Department of Biology, College of Science, Jouf University, 72341 Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia; ¹⁰Department of Physical Sciences, Chemistry Division, College of Science, Jazan University, P.O. Box. 114, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding author: izghab@jazanu.edu.sa

Abstract

The development of innovative, multi-targeted therapeutic agents from sustainable sources is essential in veterinary and biomedical sciences. Green synthesis improves the biocompatibility and utility of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). This research synthesized selenium nanoparticles using a polyphenolic-rich Citrus sinensis peel extract (Cs-SeNPs) and conducted a comprehensive assessment of their therapeutic efficacy across four principal disease models in Wistar rats. Cs-SeNPs were synthesized via green reduction using Citrus peel extract, yielding spherical particles 25nm in diameter with a negative zeta potential of -22mV. Selenium nanoparticles showed low cytotoxicity (CC₅₀ >150µg/mL) in TZM-bl and RAW 264.7 cells. They exhibited significant antiviral activity against HIV-1 (IC₅₀ = 58.7µg/mL) and the murine norovirus surrogate MNV-1 (IC₅₀ = 41.2µg/mL). Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in 250 rats across models of CCl₄-induced oxidative stress, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli-infected wounds, DMH-induced colon cancer, and ICV-STZ-induced Alzheimer’s disease. Cs-SeNPs significantly (P<0.001) restored endogenous antioxidant status and reduced lipid peroxidation by 75%. In the wound model, topical Cs-SeNPs achieved 99% wound closure and a 95% decrease in bacterial load within 14 days. Anticancer activity was robust, reducing tumor burden by 70% and inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by a 5-fold increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. In the neurodegeneration model, Cs-SeNPs significantly enhanced cognitive performance, reduced AChE activity by 45%, and decreased amyloid-beta plaque load by 60%. In conclusion, biogenic Cs-SeNPs constitute a highly efficient, single therapeutic agent exhibiting robust in vivo antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-Alzheimer’s efficacy.

To Cite This Article: Shakak AO, Salah KBH, Ashkan MF, Bahshwan SMA, Mogadem Ab, Aljohani S, Aljumaa MA, Alnasri EO, Alfaleh AA, Albalawi MA, Hajri AK, Al-Ghamdi FA, Alrayes ZR, and Zghab I, 2025. Multifunctional biogenic selenium nanoparticles from Citrus sinensis peel: in vivo antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotective assessment in rat model. Pak Vet J, 45(4) 1559-1571. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2025.333

Abstract

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)
ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)