Green Production of Selenium Nanoparticles Integrated Hesperidin Nanoformulation and its Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial and Embryonic Toxicology Assays

Abstract

Introduction; In the biomedical field, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have earned popularity since they possess strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial characteristics. Use of plants to synthesize SeNPs is ecofriendly and easily biocompatible, and does not require toxic chemicals. This paper is dedicated to the synthesis of SeNPs with the help of lining Withania somnifera and Linum usitatissimum extracts and their implementation into a nanoformulation consisting of hesperidin (NCs). The aim was to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and embryonic toxicity activity of SeNP-hesperidin nanoformulation.

Materials and Methods: he synthesis of SeNPs was conducted after combining an aqueous plant extract with sodium selenate and allowed to stir continuously over 48 hours. The UV-visible spectroscopy was used to confirm the formation of nanoparticles. The nanoformulation was prepared by mixing SeNPs and hesperidin, as well as sonication to provide complete mixing. The antimicrobial activity was measured with the help of the agar well diffusion method and the time-kill curve assay.Anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated through bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation, egg albumin denaturation, and membrane stabilization assays. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH, H₂O₂  scavenging, FRAP, ABTS, and nitric oxide scavenging assays. Biocompatibility was determined using the brine shrimp lethality assay and zebrafish embryonic toxicity evaluation.

Results :UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed SeNP formation at 395 nm. The nanoformulation exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, with Candida albicans showing the highest inhibition zone (20 mm at 100 µg/mL). Concentration dependent inhibition of protein denaturation, reaching 85% at 50 µg was observed at anti-inflammatory assays. Antioxidant assays revealed strong free radical scavenging activity, comparable to standard antioxidants. Cytotoxicity tests showed minimal toxicity at lower concentrations, while embryonic toxicity assays indicated a reduction in hatching rates at higher doses (40–80 µg/mL).

Discussion: The study highlights the synergistic effects of SeNPs and hesperidin, which enhanceanti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The formulation’s selective antimicrobial activity suggests its potential for treating fungal and bacterial infections. It is biocompatible at lower concentrations implying that it can be used as a therapeutic agent. Nevertheless, the dose needs to be optimized in order to avoid embryonic toxicity at high doses.

Conclusion: SeNPs-hesperidin Nano- formulation was produced via the green technique and was highly bioactive with less toxicity over low doses. It is also a possible target of biomedical use due to its advantageous antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that could be used in wound healing, oxidative stress and infection inhibition. The path forward in the area of research must be concerned with formulation optimization, in vivo and clinical translation.