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Green-synthesized N-acetylcarnosine–loaded gold nanoparticles as a novel ocular nanocarrier for antioxidant therapy and cataract prevention
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  • Published: 24 March 2026

Green-synthesized N-acetylcarnosine–loaded gold nanoparticles as a novel ocular nanocarrier for antioxidant therapy and cataract prevention

  • Ahmed Salih Abid1,2,
  • Zahraa S. Al-Garawi1 &
  • Füreya Elif Öztürkkan3 

Scientific Reports , Article number:  (2026) Cite this article

  • 759 Accesses

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We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Subjects

  • Biochemistry
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Drug discovery
  • Materials science
  • Medical research
  • Nanoscience and technology

Abstract

Cataract represents one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and is primarily attributed to protein glycation, oxidative stress, and aggregation of lens crystallins. Surgical lens extraction remains the standard treatment, which, despite its effectiveness, carries potential postoperative risks and economic burdens, thereby underscoring the need for alternative, non-surgical therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to develop a green-synthesized nanosystem based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Alchemilla vulgaris L. (Lady’s mantle) extract, aiming to achieve efficient antioxidant delivery and sustained therapeutic retention within ocular tissues. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized via the reduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl·3H2O) using the plant extract under ultrasonic agitation and dispersion, yielding AuNPs formulations 1%, 4%, and 7% (w/v). The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using a UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, AFM, and zeta potential analysis. Bio activity was performed using DPPH radical scavenging, MTT assays for cytotoxicity testing, in vitro drug-release studies, and ex-vivo lens transparency assessments, all supported by computational molecular docking and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) analyses. The results demonstrated that NAC-loaded gold nanoparticles (NAC–AuNPs) exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity, achieving 72–89% DPPH inhibition, and a high encapsulation efficiency of 86.1%. The drug-release profile exhibited a higher release rate observed under mildly acidic conditions (pH 6). Ex-vivo experiments using human cataractous lenses revealed a dose-dependent improvement in lens optical clarity at NAC concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.3 mM, loaded onto 7% (w/v) AuNPs formulations. Molecular docking studies suggested potential hydrogen-bond interactions between NAC and key lens crystallin proteins, providing mechanistic insight into possible structural stabilization of lens crystallin proteins. The green-synthesized AuNP–NAC nanosystem may represents a promising and biocompatible nanocarrier strategy that warrants further in vivo validation.

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Data availability

The authors declare that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the paper and its supplementary information file.

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Acknowledgements

This work was a PhD project for Ahmed which issued in 2023. Deep appreciation is also extended to the staff of Ibn Al-Haitham Teaching Eye Hospital (Baghdad, Iraq) for their generous cooperation in providing human cataractous lens samples and facilitating the ex vivo experimental procedures. The authors further extends his profound thanks to the Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, for their technical support and assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, Mustansiriyah University, P.O. Box 14022, Baghdad, Iraq

    Ahmed Salih Abid & Zahraa S. Al-Garawi

  2. Ibn Al-Haitham Teaching Eye Hospital, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq

    Ahmed Salih Abid

  3. Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey

    Füreya Elif Öztürkkan

Authors
  1. Ahmed Salih Abid
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  2. Zahraa S. Al-Garawi
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  3. Füreya Elif Öztürkkan
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Contributions

Ahmed Salih Abid performed the lab work, interpreted the results, wrote the first draft, edited it, and authorized the final draft. Zahraa S. Al-Garawi designed the study, supervised the whole project, interpreted the results, participated in writing the first and final version, edited and authorized the final version. Füreya Elif Öztürkkan performed the computerized and theoretical study, participated in writing the first and final version, edited and authorized the final version.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zahraa S. Al-Garawi.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethical approval

The Institutional Ethics Committee of Ibn Al-Haitham Teaching Eye Hospital – Minsitry of Health in Baghdad, Iraq, reviewed and approved all experimental protocols that used samples of human cataractous lenses. The study adhered to the ethical guidelines outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, and written informed consent was secured from all participants prior to sample collection. The College of Science Ethics committee in Mustansiriyah University approved the study proposal. This Ethics committee is working in accordance to College of Science guidelines on biomedical research. Ref. BCSMU/0225/00020C. None of the Investigator and co-investigator participating in this study took part in the decision making and voting procedure for this study. The College of Science`s Scientific committee expects to be informed about the progress of the study, any serious adverse events occurring in the course of the study, and any revision in the protocol.

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Cite this article

Abid, A.S., Al-Garawi, Z.S. & Öztürkkan, F.E. Green-synthesized N-acetylcarnosine–loaded gold nanoparticles as a novel ocular nanocarrier for antioxidant therapy and cataract prevention. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43070-1

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  • Received: 23 January 2026

  • Accepted: 28 February 2026

  • Published: 24 March 2026

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43070-1

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Keywords

  • Cataract
  • N-acetylcarnosine (NAC)
  • Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)
  • Green synthesis
  • Alchemilla vulgaris L.
  • Antioxidant nanocarrier
  • Ocular drug delivery
  • Lens transparency
  • In-silico docking
  • Controlled release
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