Comparative Efficacy of Coriander Seed Extract-Loaded Selenium Nanoparticles and DMSA in Restoring Antioxidant/Apoptotic Balance of Lead-Induced Hepatotoxicity.

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that causes hepatotoxicity even in trace amounts. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of coriander extract-loaded selenium nanoparticles (coriander@Se-NPs) against Pb toxicity in a mouse model, comparing its efficacy to the benchmark standard chelator, DMSA. The effectiveness of coriander extract, coriander@Se-NPs, and synthetic chelator (DMSA) was evaluated. The study groups contain: a control group receiving distilled water, a Pb toxicity group given Pb-acetate at 150 mg/kg, a positive control group treated with DMSA after Pb exposure, and two groups receiving coriander extract or coriander@Se-NPs after Pb exposure, both at 200 mg/kg daily for three weeks. Our results demonstrated that the coriander@Se-NPs significantly reduced hepatic Pb concentrations (83.90%) and restored antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and CAT) more effectively than DMSA. Notably, coriander@Se-NPs exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, evidenced by a 12.5-fold reduction in IL-6 and the suppression of Caspase 3 to sub-normal levels (0.399-fold). Furthermore, the coriander@Se-NPs treatment stabilized Beclin 1 levels, suggesting a restoration of cellular autophagy homeostasis. These findings indicate that coriander@Se-NPs provide a superior, multi-modal protective shield against heavy metal poisoning compared to traditional synthetic chelators, DMSA, highlighting their potential as a high-efficacy nanomedicine for clinical toxicology. Further studies are needed to explore its potential clinical applications and mechanisms.