Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
2
Innovated Medical Research Center & Department of Immunology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
3
Department of Nursing, Qaen School of Medical Sciences, Geriatric Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
4
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
5
Cancer research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
6
Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
7
Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of chemically synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs)
and green gold nanoparticles (gGNPs) derived from Achillea biebersteinii extract on
antrum diameter and the expression of genes associated with follicular development in
NMRI mice. Female mice were treated with GNPs and gGNPs at concentrations of 10,
50, and 100 µg/mL. Antrum diameter in ovarian follicles was measured using ImageJ
software. Gene expression levels of BMP-15, GDF-9, SOD, and GPx were quantified
via real-time PCR.Treatment with gGNPs at 100 µg/mL significantly increased the
antrum diameter of secondary follicles compared to GNPs (p ≤ 0.05), while no
significant changes were observed in grafted follicles. A dose-dependent upregulation of
BMP-15, GDF-9, GPx, and SOD was observed in both GNP and gGNP groups, with
gGNPs eliciting stronger effects across all genes (p ≤ 0.05). The findings suggest that A.
biebersteinii-mediated green synthesis enhances the biological activity of GNPs,
particularly in promoting follicular development and antioxidant gene expression.
Although mechanistic pathways were not explored in this study, future research should
address these gaps and evaluate long-term safety and therapeutic potential
Keywords