Synthesis, characterisation, computational study, amelioration of ruthenium kesar nanoparticle, antioxidant and glycolytic enzyme activity alterations in cirrhotic liver extract

Abstract Liver cirrhosis represents a progressive vascular and metabolic disease, which results due to chronic inflammatory injury to the tissues and presents with aberrant tissue regeneration, fibrosis with nodular configurations, vascular remodeling, and enhanced portal pressures along with compromised liver functions. In close correlation with the abovementioned abnormalities are defects within the mechanisms of antioxidant defense and glycolytic metabolism. The study focuses on the determination of inherent structural characteristics of ruthenium dioxide nanoparticles and determines the modulatory effects of a ruthenium complex on the activities of antioxidant and glycolytic enzymes within the cirrhotic liver samples. Structural studies proved the successful creation of a rutile RuO2 crystalline phase on a glass surface, with clear diffraction patterns pointing to a well-ordered crystal structure. FT-IR confirmed the material’s characteristic low wavenumber absorption peak in the range of 400–700 cm−1, a clear indicator of RuO2 formation. High-resolution TEM proved the presence of agglomerates of granular and faceted nanocrystals having clear boundaries, a clear indication of strong inter-particle interactions. Analysis using ImageJ confirmed a d-spacing of 9.2 Å, a clear indication of its nanocrystal nature. SLF and surface mapping studies on the bioactive ligand (safranal) proved its electrophilic nature with low binding energy and favorable hydrogen bonding (2.57 Å), a clear indication of its high molecular reactivity and biocompatibility. For bioassays, 10% homogenates of normal and cirrhotic albino rat livers were prepared in ice-cold 0.02 M Tris–Cl buffer (pH 7.4). Cytosol fractions isolated through refrigerated centrifugation were incubated with a ruthenium complex (100 mg/mL of 0.02 mM DMSO solution) for 24 h at 4 °C. The activity of antioxidant and glycolytic enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase was measured by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The findings from the study show that liver cirrhosis induces significant changes in antioxidant and glycolytic enzymes; however, the treatment with the ruthenium complex was successful in modulating these changes. The study underlines the promising aspect of ruthenium nanocomplexes not only for cancer treatment but also for other diseases like liver cirrhosis.