Beneficial Effect Of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Against Indomethacine-Induced Ulcer in Rats

Hala A. Attia*and Amany A. E. Ahmed    

Department of Pharmacology/Faculty of Pharmacy,

King Saud University- Riyadh- KSA

E-mail: halafetoh@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

Nanotechnologically improved products rely on a change in the physical properties when the feature sizes are shrunk. Nanoparticles take advantage of their dramatically increased surface area to volume ratio. Nanoparticles could be thus used with minimal dose in comparison with the normal size product.

Aim of the work: 1- To study the gastro-protective effect of nano zinc oxide [nanoZnO] on indomethacine-induced ulcer in rats. 2- To evaluate the beneficial effect of nanoZnO when used in lower dose in comparison with the normal size ZnO.

Methods: Gastric ulcer was induced in all animals with a single oral dose of indomethacine (20 mg/kg body weight). Animals were then divided into 4 groups (n=10). Group I was saline- treated, groups II, III and IV were treated orally with omeprazole (10 mg/kg body weight), ZnO (30 mg/kg/day) and nano ZnO (15mg/kg/day), respectively, once for 5 days before induction of ulcer. The gastro-protective effect was assessed from volume of gastric juice, pH, the levels of non-protein sulfhydryls (NP-SH), lipid peroxide (LPO), activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) as well as the levels of DNA and sialic acid (as index of mucin activity) in gastric mucosa. Barrier mucous content of gastric mucosa and ulcer score were also assessed.

Results: In comparison with omeprazole (standard anti-ulcer), nanoZnO revealed a significant increase in activities of CAT and MPO, levels of NP-SH, sialic acid and mucous content of gastric mucosa as well as a significant decrease in volume of gastric juice, ulcer score, LPO and DNA levels. Despite of its lower dose, Nano ZnO showed a significant improvement of oxidative status in gastric mucosa and better gastro-protective effect in comparison with the normal size ZnO.

Conclusion: NanoZnO may be a promising agent for management of ulcer induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Keywords:  Nano zinc oxide, indomethacine-induced ulcer, lipid peroxidation, total thiols, myeloperoxidase, DNA fragmentation, sialic acid

* Corresponding author: Dr. Hala Abou El-Fetouh Attia

 King Saud University, Female section – Malaz.

Riyadh 11495, P.O. Box 11451

College of Pharmacy, Department of  pharmacology

Tel./Fax: 012913728

E-mail: halafetoh@yahoo.com