In this study, chrysin as a natural flavonoid was encapsulated in nanoliposomal structures, and the synthesized nanoliposome-loaded chrysin (NLC) was further characterized for its physical properties and cytoprotective effects in mice that received cadmium-containing water. The results showed that the synthesized NLC is possessed spherical structure with the size of 185.1 nm and negative surface charge of - 26 mV with a poly dispersity index of 0.26. The mice received cadmium (2 mg/kg body weight/day) through drinking water showed weight loss and decease in the feed intake significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The cadmium notably (p ≤ 0.05) increased the liver enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase; altered the liver metal deposition (cadmium, copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc); and induced hepatic oxidative stress (inducible nitric oxide synthase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase genes) with no remarkable histopathological changes. Furthermore, the cadmium impaired the morphology of jejunum through reducing villus height and villus width and increasing the crypt depth. Providing NLC as a dietary supplement at the concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg mice body weight significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the feed intake and body weight gain, modulated the liver enzymes, and alleviated the hepatic oxidative stress. The NLC also improved the antioxidant mineral deposition in the liver and morphohistological structure of jejunum. Consequently, the NLC is suggested as a potential dietary supplement to alleviate the symptoms of cadmium-induced toxicity in mice.
Keywords: Antioxidant activity; Cadmium-mediated cytotoxic impacts; Cytoprotective; Gene expression; Nanoliposome-loaded chrysin (NLC).