Beneficial effect of nanoparticles over standard form of zinc oxide in enhancing the anti-inflammatory activity of ketoprofen in rats.

BACKGROUND: Zinc is known as an anti-inflammatory agent. Recent studies demonstrated the usage of zinc ions for enhancing the anti-inflammatory effect of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

METHODS: This study compares the influence of chronic administration of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and zinc oxide standard form (ZnO-S) on the anti-inflammatory and gastric activity of ketoprofen in rats. Both ZnO-S and ZnO-NPs were administered at doses of 7 or 14mg/kg (intraperitoneally (ip) and per os (po)) for 2 weeks followed by single po ketoprofen administration (in three doses: 5, 10, and 20mg/kg).

RESULTS: The ZnO-NPs (but not ZnO-S) at a dose of 14mg/kg ip reduced the carrageenan-induced paw edema at the second hour after carrageenan administration and enhanced the ketoprofen anti-inflammatory activity at second and third hour after carrageenan administration. A dose of 7mg/kg of both forms administered ip was ineffective in these measures. ZnO-NPs and ZnO-S administered po did not affect the carrageenan-induced paw edema or ketoprofen anti-inflammatory activity. ZnO-S and ZnO-NPs administered po and ip at both doses (7 and 14mg/kg) protected the gastric mucosa from ketoprofen-induced gastric ulcer.

CONCLUSION: Zinc oxide nanoparticles demonstrated beneficial effects over standard form in enhancing the anti-inflammatory activity of ketoprofen.