Effect of chitosan-silver nanoparticle composite-treated water on selected biochemical parameters of rats

Purpose: To investigate the impact of chitosan-silver nanoparticles (chitosan-AgNP) composite-treated water on some biochemical parameters in the albino rats. Methods: Water samples were pretreated with chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (chitosan-AgNPs) prior to oral administration in a rodent model. Following a 28-day experimental period, serum biochemical markers associated with hepatic and renal functions and enzymatic activities were quantitatively assessed to evaluate potential physiological and metabolic alterations. Results: Biochemical analysis revealed significant alterations in liver and kidney function markers in rats exposed to contaminated water. Liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and γ-glytamyl transferase (GGT) activities were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while serum ALP, AST and GGT levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in the contaminated water group compared to control. Serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly higher in rats exposed to contaminated water (90 ± 0.08 mg/dL and 21.73 ± 4.03 mg/dL, respectively) compared to the control group (43 ± 0.13 mg/dL and 16.37 ± 1.97 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.05). Conversely, administration of chitosan-AgNP-treated water significantly reduced these elevations, bringing the values closer to control levels. Bacteriological analysis showed a drastic reduction in total coliform and fecal counts from 1.44 × 10⁷ CFU/mL and 7.2 × 10⁶ CFU/mL, respectively, to 0 CFU/mL after 27 days of chitosan-AgNP treatment. Conclusion: The findings suggest that chitosan-AgNP treatment significantly reduces bacterial load in water and positively affects selected biochemical parameters of albino rats, indicating its potential as a water treatment option.