Background: Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in various biomedical applications. However, limited reports are currently available about the safety of biofabricated AgNPs using Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extracts. Objectives: The current study is aimed to assess the potential toxicity of biosynthesized AgNPs (using C. zeylanicum) by subacute oral administration in experimental rats. Methods: AgNPs were biofabricated using methanol extract of C. zeylanicum bark and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Twenty-four Rattus norvegicus female rats were divided into 4 groups (6 animals per group) as follows: Group-I was the control, while groups II, III, and IV were given 0.85, 1.76 and 3.53 mg/kg doses of AgNPs, respectively for 14 consecutive days. After 14 days of oral administration of AgNPs, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured using an ELISA technique. Serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were also determined as well as histopathologic features of the liver and the kidney. Results: AgNPs did not induce any changes in mean body weight, biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, urea and creatinine), oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, SOD and CAT) and histopathologic features (of the liver and kidneys) of the treated groups when compared to control group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the oral administration of biogenic AgNPs (biofabricated using methanol extract of C. zeylanicum) to rats at a specific dose is relatively safe and does not show any signs of toxicity.

No abstract

No abstract

This study was done to find out the effect of seasonal variations on the hematological and blood biochemical parameters of local cattle raised in Maysan Governorate. A number of 40 healthy cows were selected for the study during winter and summer seasons, blood samples were collected in each of the two seasons and were analyzed for some hematological and biochemical parameters. The results in the winter season showed significantly higher values of Mean Corpuscular Volume, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, bilirubin and creatinine but lower values of total white blood cells count, differential leukocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration, AST and ALT than that of the same animals during the summer season. However, no significant differences in the erythrocyte count, haematocrite between the two seasons were observed in the local cattle.

No abstract