Neuroprotective effects of magnesium against stress induced by hydrogen peroxide in Wistar rat.

INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse disease states. The present study was designed to examine the effects of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced behaviour impairment and oxidative damage in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen rats were equally divided into three groups. The first group was kept as a control. In the second group, H2O2 was given in drinking water at 3% during 5 days. In the third group, rats were subjected to daily administration of H2O2 and MgSO4 (100 mg/kg; b.w) for 5 days. Animals were subjected to behavioural tests (elevated plus maze and open field). At the end of experiment, brains were extracted for oxidative stress biomarkers assessment including levels of malondialdéhyde and hydrogen peroxide and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. RESULTS: Our findings showed that H2O2 treated rat exhibited anxiogenic behaviour and the genesis of free radicals in the brain. Magnesium showed amelioration against oxidative stress and significant decrease in anxiety levels. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Stress is a powerful process that disrupts brain homeostasis by inducing oxidative stress and its appear that magnesium may have potential therapeutic benefits by reducing oxidative stress and inducing anxiolytic effect.

Study of ocular manifestations and humoral immune response in eyes of dogs with leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Ocular manifestations in dogs with leishmaniasis are frequent and complications in affected tissues can lead to blindness. Immune processes play a very important role in the pathogenesis of ocular inflammation. Therefore, the immunology of ocular manifestations in dogs with leishmaniasis remains complex and poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: Estimation and characterisation of ocular and periocular manifestations in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum and investigation of the production site of specific anti-Leishmania infantum IgG. METHODS: The present investigation used 53 confirmed dogs infected with Leishmania infantum, presenting ocular and periocular lesions, and 10 control non-infected dogs. Complete macroscopic ophthalmic examination of eyelids and globes was performed. Both total and anti-Leishmania infantum IgG antibodies were studied in sera and aqueous humour (AH) of all dogs by ELISA technique. A Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (C value) was calculated. RESULTS: The main ophthalmological findings were keratoconjunctivitis (71.7%; 38/53), hyperplasia of conjunctival lymphoid follicles (54.7%; 29/53), blepharitis (50.9%; 27/53) and uveitis (20.7%; 11/53). Ocular production of anti-Leishmania infantum IgG was detected in 73.6% (39/53) of infected dogs. There was no correlation between the antibody levels in AH and sera of the same dog. The mean anti-Leishmania infantum IgG in AH was higher in uveitis, followed by lesions affecting only the adnexa (p < 0.0001). The highest mean C values were observed for uveitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that production of anti-Leishmania IgG in dogs infected with Leishmania infantum with ocular manifestations begin in situ and follows by a transfer of antibodies from the bloodstream to the AH.

Exposure to 2.45 GHz Radiation Triggers Changes in HSP-70, Glucocorticoid Receptors and GFAP Biomarkers in Rat Brain.

Brain tissue may be especially sensitive to electromagnetic phenomena provoking signs of neural stress in cerebral activity. Fifty-four adult female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent ELISA and immunohistochemistry testing of four relevant anatomical areas of the cerebrum to measure biomarkers indicating induction of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after single or repeated exposure to 2.45 GHz radiation in the experimental set-up. Neither radiation regime caused tissue heating, so thermal effects can be ruled out. A progressive decrease in GCR and HSP-70 was observed after acute or repeated irradiation in the somatosensory cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus. In the limbic cortex; however, values for both biomarkers were significantly higher after repeated exposure to irradiation when compared to control animals. GFAP values in brain tissue after irradiation were not significantly different or were even lower than those of nonirradiated animals in all brain regions studied. Our results suggest that repeated exposure to 2.45 GHz elicited GCR/HSP-70 dysregulation in the brain, triggering a state of stress that could decrease tissue anti-inflammatory action without favoring glial proliferation and make the nervous system more vulnerable.

The Effects of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) on Emotional Behavior Impairment and Metabolic Disorders Induced by Estrogen Deficiency in Rats.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) contains a wide variety of polyphenols with high antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of carob pods (AECP) on emotional behavior impairments and metabolic disorders in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: group 1, control non-OVX rats; group 2, OVX rats; and group 3, OVX rats orally treated with AECP (500 mg/kg) for15 days after ovariectomy. Elevated plus-maze and open-field tests were performed on the 26th and 27th post-ovariectomy days, respectively. Afterwards, the rats were anesthetized and their serums were collected for biochemical analysis. We found that AECP improved emotional behavior impairments revealed by elevated plus-maze and open-field tests in OVX rats. Moreover, ovariectomy significantly increased triglyceride, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels in the serum. AECP administration significantly reversed ovariectomy-induced biochemical alterations. Thus, we suggest that the AECP may have an anxiolytic-like effect and prevent biochemical disorders associated with menopause or ovariectomy.

Zinc improves clomipramine effects on depressive and locomotor behavior and reverses its oxidative stress in rats.

Depression is a common mental disease affecting a lot of people of all ages around the world. Today, improving the therapeutic effects of currently used antidepressants such as clomipramine and, especially when they are administered at high doses is a topic of interest. The study aims to evaluate the eventual role of zinc (30 mg/Kg) in ameliorating clomipramine (75 mg/Kg) effects on behavior and oxidative stress equilibrium following a 6 day treatment in male Wistar rats. Our main findings showed that zinc improved clomipramine antidepressant and locomotor effects. Moreover, zinc reversed the oxidative stress induced by this drug in the liver. Thus, zinc at 30 mg/Kg may constitute an efficient adjuvant for clomipramine used at a high dose (75 mg/Kg) by boosting its efficacy on behavior and alleviating its negative effects on oxidative balance in liver.

Effect of sub-chronic ferrous sulfate treatment on motor skills, hematological and biochemical parameters in rats.

This study investigated the effects of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) on motor skills, hematological and biochemical parameters in rats. Adult rats were treated with dose of iron (280 mg/L, per os) for 15 consecutive days in drinking water. No significant difference was noticed for the motor skills in the stationary beam (p = 0.23) and suspended string tests (p = 0.48) between control and iron-treated rats. However, iron-treated rats showed a significant increase in white blood cells count (p = 0.01), mean corpuscular volume values (p = 0.02) and decrease in frequency of peristaltic contractions of the fragment of the intestine (in vitro) compared to control rats (p = 0.01). No significant difference in plasma iron level (p = 0.89) and transferrin amount were observed after iron treatment (p = 0.65). The findings indicate that iron treatment at 280 mg/L, per os for 15 consecutive days in adult rats induced increase of hematological parameters (sign of a potential inflammation), but not motor skills deficit.

Pistacia lentiscus oil attenuates memory dysfunction and decreases levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats.

Pistacia lentiscus L. is a well-known medicinal plant that has been used for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the neuroprotective effect of Pistacia lentiscus oil (PLo) of has not been reported. The present study was designed to examine the neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of PLo aigainst lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory impairment and oxidative damage in rats. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were equally divided into three groups. The first group was kept as a control. In the second group, LPS was given at the single dose of 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). In the third group, PLo (3.3 mL/kg; per orally (p.o.)) was administered daily for 15 days, and challenged with LPS (1 mg/kg; i.p. injection two h before behavioral test). Thereafter, memory was assessed using spatial object recognition test. Cholinesterase activity and oxidative stress response were estimated in brain tissues and liver. PLo attenuated LPS-induced memory impairment in spatial object recognition test (p < 0.05). LPS treatment caused significant oxidative damage via induction of lipid peroxidation and reductions antioxidant defense system potency in the brain tissue and liver. Moreover, LPS increased brain activity of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity in the liver. The present results suggest that the beneficial effects of PLo on memory impairment of LPS-treated rats may be due to its protective effects against oxidative stress damage presumably via its antioxidant property.

Iron prevents demyelination of frog sciatic nerves.

Metal ions are of particular importance in nervous system function, notably iron. However, very little has been done to investigate its physiological role in frog peripheral nervous system. The present research aim to evaluate i) the time-effect of sciatic nerve ligation and/or ii) iron sulphate (1.50mg/kg, in lymphatic sac) on frog myelin sheaths. Histological sections following ligation shows degeneration of some fibres with axonal and myelin breakdown associated to a decrease of Schwann cells number following 2h (45.00±0.30, p<0.0001), 24h (28.00±0.020, p<0.0001). Interestingly, iron administration reduces the degeneration of myelin sheaths classically observed in frog ligated sciatic nerve associated with an increase of Schwann cells number (139.00±0.50, p<0.0001). Thus, iron could prevent degeneration or promote regeneration induced by ligation in frog sciatic nerve.

Variability of antioxidant and biological activities of Rhus tripartitum related to phenolic compounds.

Rhus species are known in traditional medicine for their therapeutic virtue and their extracts showed numerous important properties including antimalarial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and hypoglycemic and anticonvulsant activities. Rhus tripartitum (Ucria) is a medicinal plant widely used in Tunisia folk medicine against chronic diarrhea and gastric ulcer. This study was designed to examine in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of four extracts of Rhus tripartitum root cortex with increasing solvent polarity (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water). HPLC was used to identify and quantify phenolic compounds in Rhus extract. Water extract showed the highest antioxidant activity using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC method) with 8.95 ± 0.47 µmol Trolox/mg and a cell based-assay with 0.28 ± 0.12 µmol Trolox/mg as compared to the other fractions. Moreover, methanol extract displayed the strongest anti-cancer activity against human lung carcinoma (A-549) and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines (DLD-1) with an IC50 value of 60.69 ± 2.58 and 39.83 ± 4.56 µg/ml (resazurin test) and 44.52 ± 5.96 and 55.65 ± 6.00 µg/ml (hoechst test), respectively. Besides, the highest anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) release, was exhibited by dichloromethane extract with 31.5 % at 160 µg/ml in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The HPLC analysis showed that catechol and kaempferol were the major phenolics. These data suggest the richness of all fractions of Ucria root on interesting bioactive molecules with different polarity and confirm the known traditional therapeutics virtues of this species for the treatment of dysentery, diarrhea and gastric ulcer.

Postnatal development and behavior effects of in-utero exposure of rats to radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional WiFi devices.

The present work investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to radiofrequency waves of conventional WiFi devices on postnatal development and behavior of rat offspring. Ten Wistar albino pregnant rats were randomly assigned to two groups (n=5). The experimental group was exposed to a 2.45GHz WiFi signal for 2h a day throughout gestation period. Control females were subjected to the same conditions as treated group without applying WiFi radiations. After delivery, the offspring was tested for physical and neurodevelopment during its 17 postnatal days (PND), then for anxiety (PND 28) and motricity (PND 40-43), as well as for cerebral oxidative stress response and cholinesterase activity in brain and serum (PND 28 and 43). Our main results showed that the in-utero WiFi exposure impaired offspring neurodevelopment during the first seventeen postnatal days without altering emotional and motor behavior at adult age. Besides, prenatal WiFi exposure induced cerebral oxidative stress imbalance (increase in malondialdehyde level (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and decrease in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities) at 28 but not 43days old, also the exposure affected acethylcolinesterase activity at both cerebral and seric levels. Thus, the current study revealed that maternal exposure to WiFi radiofrequencies led to various adverse neurological effects in the offspring by affecting neurodevelopment, cerebral stress equilibrium and cholinesterase activity.

Effects of repeated restraint stress and WiFi signal exposure on behavior and oxidative stress in rats.

Today, due to technology development and aversive events of daily life, Human exposure to both radiofrequency and stress is unavoidable. This study investigated the co-exposure to repeated restraint stress and WiFi signal on cognitive function and oxidative stress in brain of male rats. Animals were divided into four groups: Control, WiFi-exposed, restrained and both WiFi-exposed and restrained groups. Each of WiFi exposure and restraint stress occurred 2 h (h)/day during 20 days. Subsequently, various tests were carried out for each group, such as anxiety in elevated plus maze, spatial learning abilities in the water maze, cerebral oxidative stress response and cholinesterase activity in brain and serum. Results showed that WiFi exposure and restraint stress, alone and especially if combined, induced an anxiety-like behavior without impairing spatial learning and memory abilities in rats. At cerebral level, we found an oxidative stress response triggered by WiFi and restraint, per se and especially when combined as well as WiFi-induced increase in acetylcholinesterase activity. Our results reveal that there is an impact of WiFi signal and restraint stress on the brain and cognitive processes especially in elevated plus maze task. In contrast, there are no synergistic effects between WiFi signal and restraint stress on the brain.

Effects of prenatal exposure to WIFI signal (2.45GHz) on postnatal development and behavior in rat: Influence of maternal restraint.

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential combined influence of maternal restraint stress and 2.45GHz WiFi signal exposure on postnatal development and behavior in the offspring of exposed rats. 24 pregnant albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control, WiFi-exposed, restrained and both WiFi-exposed and restrained groups. Each of WiFi exposure and restraint occurred 2h/day along gestation till parturition. The pups were evaluated for physical development and neuromotor maturation. Moreover, elevated plus maze test, open field activity and stationary beam test were also determined on postnatal days 28, 30 and 31, respectively. After behavioral tests, the rats were anesthetized and their brains were removed for biochemical analysis. Our main findings showed no detrimental effects on gestation progress and outcomes at delivery in all groups. Subsequently, WiFi and restraint, per se and mainly in concert altered physical development of pups with slight differences between genders. Behaviorally, the gestational WiFi irradiation, restraint and especially the associated treatment affected the neuromotor maturation mainly in male progeny. At adult age, we noticed anxiety, motor deficit and exploratory behavior impairment in male offspring co-exposed to WiFi radiation and restraint, and in female progeny subjected to three treatments. The biochemical investigation showed that, all three treatments produced global oxidative stress in brain of both sexes. As for serum biochemistry, phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, triglycerides and calcium levels were disrupted. Taken together, prenatal WiFi radiation and restraint, alone and combined, provoked several behavioral and biochemical impairments at both juvenile and adult age of the offspring.

Evaluation of oxidative response and tissular damage in rat lungs exposed to silica-coated gold nanoparticles under static magnetic fields.

The purpose of our study was the evaluation of toxicological effects of silica-coated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and static magnetic fields (SMFs; 128 mT) exposure in rat lungs. Animals received a single injection of GNPs (1,100 µg/kg, 100 nm, intraperitoneally) and were exposed to SMFs, over 14 days (1 h/day). Results showed that GNPs treatment induced a hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue. Fluorescence microscopy images showed that red fluorescence signal was detected in rat lungs after 2 weeks from the single injection of GNPs. Oxidative response study showed that GNPs exposure increased malondialdehyde level and decreased CuZn-superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in rat lungs. Furthermore, the histopathological study showed that combined effects of GNPs and SMFs led to more tissular damages in rat lungs in comparison with GNPs-treated rats. Interestingly, intensity of red fluorescence signal was enhanced after exposure to SMFs indicating a higher accumulation of GNPs in rat lungs under magnetic environment. Moreover, rats coexposed to GNPs and SMFs showed an increased malondialdehyde level, a fall of CuZn-superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in comparison with GNPs-treated group. Hence, SMFs exposure increased the accumulation of GNPs in rat lungs and led to more toxic effects of these nanocomplexes.

Subacute static magnetic field exposure in rat induces a pseudoanemia status with increase in MCT4 and Glut4 proteins in glycolytic muscle.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of subacute exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) on hematological and muscle biochemical parameters in rats. Male Wistar rats, daily exposed to SMF, were exposed to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day) during 15 consecutive days. SMF-exposed rats showed a significant decrease in red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht) values compared to sham-exposed rats (p < 0.05). Concomitant decreases of plasma iron level against increase in transferrin amount were also observed after SMF exposure (p < 0.0.05). In postprandial condition, SMF-exposed rats presented higher plasma lactate (p < 0.01). Additionally, SMF exposure increased monocarboxylate transporters (MCT4) and glucose transporter 4 (Glut4)'s contents only in glycolytic muscle (p < 0.05). SMF exposure induced alteration of hematological parameters; importantly, we noticed a pseudoanemia status, which seems to affect tissue oxygen delivery. Additionally, SMF exposure seems to favor the extrusion of lactate from the cell to the blood compartment. Given that, these arguments advocate for an adaptive response to a hypoxia status following SMF exposure.

Effects of combined ferrous sulfate administration and exposure to static magnetic field on brain oxidative stress and emotional behavior.

The present study was done to investigate behavioral effects and oxidative stress in iron- treated and co-exposed static magnetic field (SMF)-iron rats. Anxiety in the elevated plus- maze test, and motor skills were also assessed in the stationary beam and suspended string tests. After behavioral tests, the rats were anesthetized and their brains were removed for biochemical analysis. The co-exposure to iron and SMF induced a significant difference in elevated plus-maze test in rats. The frequency of entries and time spent in the open arms was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the iron- and SMF-exposed group compared with the group treated with iron alone and in the control group. However, no significant difference was noticed for the motor skill test between the three groups. The biochemical investigation showed that malondialdehyde level increased (p<0.001) and that glutathione level and catalase enzyme activity decreased (p<0.001) in brain of iron- and SMF-exposed group. The dose of iron alone used in present study, was unable to induce any effect. However, the 128 mT SMF in the presence of iron ions in the body can induce disruption in the emotional behavior and can produce oxidative stress in brain tissue of rats.

Effects of acute exposure to WIFI signals (2.45GHz) on heart variability and blood pressure in Albinos rabbit.

Electrocardiogram and arterial pressure measurements were studied under acute exposures to WIFI (2.45GHz) during one hour in adult male rabbits. Antennas of WIFI were placed at 25cm at the right side near the heart. Acute exposure of rabbits to WIFI increased heart frequency (+22%) and arterial blood pressure (+14%). Moreover, analysis of ECG revealed that WIFI induced a combined increase of PR and QT intervals. By contrast, the same exposure failed to alter maximum amplitude and P waves. After intravenously injection of dopamine (0.50ml/kg) and epinephrine (0.50ml/kg) under acute exposure to RF we found that, WIFI alter catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine) action on heart variability and blood pressure compared to control. These results suggest for the first time, as far as we know, that exposure to WIFI affect heart rhythm, blood pressure, and catecholamines efficacy on cardiovascular system; indicating that radiofrequency can act directly and/or indirectly on cardiovascular system.

Static magnetic field exposure-induced oxidative response and caspase-independent apoptosis in rat liver: effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementations.

In the present study, we investigated the implication of oxidative stress and apoptosis under static magnetic field (SMF) in the brain and liver. Moreover, we estimated the protective role of selenium and vitamin E in rat tissues against disorders induced by SMF. Exposure of rats to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day during five consecutive days) increased the activity of catalase (CAT) (+24 %) in the liver but not in the brain. By contrast, the same treatment failed to alter malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the brain and liver. Exposure to SMF also induced hepatocyte apoptosis through a caspase-independent pathway involving mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) but not in the brain. Selenium and vitamin E supplementations to SMF-exposed rats restored liver CAT activity but failed to minimize liver apoptosis.

Subacute toxicity of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in male rats: emotional behavior and pathophysiological examination.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have a wide range of applications in many fields (paint, industry, medicine, additives in food colorants, and nutritional products). Over the past decade research, TiO2 NPs have been focused on the potential toxic effects of these useful materials. In the present study, we investigated the effects of subacute exposure to TiO2 NPs on emotional behavior in adult Wistar rats, the biochemical parameters, and the histology of organs. Animals were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with TiO2 NPs (20 mg/kg body weight) every 2 days for 20 days. The elevated plus-maze test showed that subacute TiO2 NPs treatment increased significantly the anxious index (AI) compared to control group. The toxicological parameters were assessed 24 h and 14 days after the last injection of TiO2 NPs. Subacute exposure to nanoparticles increased the AST/ALT enzyme ratio and LDH activity. However, the blood cell count remained unchanged, except the platelet count increase. Histological examination showed a little inflammation overall. Moreover, our results provide strong evidence that the TiO2 NPs can induce the liver pathological changes of rats. The intraperitoneal injection of TiO2 NPs increased the accumulation of titanium in the liver, lung, and the brain. The results suggest that TiO2 NPs could alter the neurobehavioral performance of adult Wistar rats and promotes alterations in hepatic tissues.

Does static magnetic field-exposure induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat kidney and muscle? Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementations.

Static magnetic fields (SMFs) effect observed with radical pair recombination is one of the well-known mechanisms by which SMFs interact with biological systems. Our aim was to study whether SMF induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat tissues and to evaluate the possible protector effect of selenium (Se) and vitamin E (vit E) supplementations. Rats were randomly divided into control, SMF-exposed, Se-treated, vit E-treated, SMF exposed rats and co-treated with Se, and SMF exposed rats and co-treated with vit E. After animal sacrifice, catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were measured and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) immunohistochemical labeling was performed in kidney and muscle. Exposure of rats to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day for 5 days) increased the MDA concentrations (+25%) and CAT activities (+34%) in kidney but not in muscle. By contrast, the same treatment failed to induce a caspase-independent pathway apoptosis in both tissues. Interestingly, Se pre-treatment inhibited the increase of MDA concentrations and CAT activities in kidney in SMF-exposed rats. However, vit E administration corrected only MDA levels in rat kidney. In conclusion, exposure to SMF induced oxidative stress in kidney that can be prevented by treatment with Se or vit E.

Effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on photosynthesis and growth of the aquatic plant Lemna gibba.

Toxicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) was investigated in Lemna gibba plants exposed for 7 days to Fe3O4 (SPION-1), Co0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 (SPION-2), or Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (SPION-3) at 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 or 400 µg mL(-1). At < 400 µg mL(-1) of SPION exposure, toxicity was indicated by decrease of chlorophyll content, deterioration of photosystem II (PSII) functions, strong production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibition of growth rate based on fresh weight (52-59 %) or frond number (32-49 %). The performance index of PSII activity was the most sensitive biomarker of PSII functions and decreased by 83, 86, and 79 % for SPION-1, SPION-2, and SPION-3, respectively. According to the change of these biomarkers, the exposure of SPION suspensions to L. gibba caused several alterations to the entire plant cellular system, which may come from both the uptake of nanoparticles and metal ions in the soluble fraction. Our results, based on the change of several biomarkers, showed that these SPION have a complex toxic mode of action on the entire plant system and therefore affects its viability. Therefore, the plant model L. gibba was shown to be a sensitive bioindicator of SPION cellular toxicity and thus can be used in the development of a laboratory bioassay toxicity testing.