Decorated gold nanoparticles on hydroxymethylated lignin modified magnetic composite: Introducing a novel therapeutic drug for the treatment of renal anemia

This research describes a sustainable methodology for the in situ synthesis of Au nanoparticles adorned hydroxymethylated lignin (HL) functionalized Fe3O4 nanocomposite (Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs) and its catalytic and subsequent biological applications. Structural and physicochemical features of such novel material was evaluated through a number of analytical techniques like FT-IR, FE-SEM, TEM, EDS, elemental mapping, VSM and ICP. The prepared Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs nanocomposite represented an excellent catalytic activity in the formylation of various aminoarenes to the corresponding N-formyl amines. All reactions were carried out under solvent-free conditions by ethyl formate as formylating agent. The utilized Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs nanocomposite was magnetically separated from the reaction mixture and reused for 8 consecutive cycles without the significant loss of its catalytic activity. The data of the in vivo part of the recent study may suggest Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs nano -composite as an appreciated blood homeostatic and nephroprotective agent from a natural source that could be a good remedy in conditions associated with blood disorders. When concurrently administered with gentamicin, Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs nanocomposite (10, 20 and 40 mu g/kg, orally via gastric tube, for 21 days) significantly protected against the drastic effects of the former on the blood profile with improving potentials on erythrogram, leukogram, platelet, EPO, iron and its indices, in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of ALP, AST, ALT, GGT, urea and creatinine significantly decreased and total protein and albumin significantly raised in rats treated with Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs nanocomposite as compared with other groups. Also, Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs nanocomposite significantly increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL4, IL5, IL10, IL13 and INF alpha and reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL1, IL6, IL12, IL18 and TNF alpha.

Automated summary

This research presents a sustainable method for synthesizing a nanocomposite of gold nanoparticle-decorated hydroxymethylated lignin (HL) functionalized Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs). The material was characterized using various analytical techniques, and showed excellent catalytic activity in the formylation reaction of aminoarenes. The nanocomposite could be easily separated and reused without loss of catalytic activity. Moreover, in vivo experiments suggested that the Fe3O4@HL/Au NPs nanocomposite could potentially be used as a blood homeostatic and nephroprotective agent, with significant protective effects on blood profile and anti-inflammatory properties.