The Combinatory Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and Thiamine on Skin of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice; A Stereological and Biochemical Study

Abstract

Various studies have shown that ZnO NPs as an anti-diabetic agent can be effective in the experimental model of diabetes. This study aimed to investigate treatment effects of ZnO NPs plus thiamine on histo-stereological and biochemical parameters in the diabetic mouse skin. In total 49 BALB/C mice were used and divided into seven groups. Fourteen mice were equally considered as the control and thiamine groups (groups I and II). The rest of the mice were injected with alloxan (220 mg/kg) to induce diabetes; one untreated diabetes group (group III). Other diabetic mice were treated with ZnO NPs (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) alone (groups IV and V, respectively) and along with thiamine (groups VI and VII, respectively). Body weights of mice at days 0, 10, and 20 were calculated to appraise weight gain. Stereological and biochemical parameters were measured to evaluate diabetes effects in all groups. An increase in weight was observed in the diabetic group compared to the control group. Diabetic skin showed decreasing in volume density of collagen bundles and decreasing in the epidermis and dermis thickness, as well as an increase in the hypodermis's thickness. Administration of ZnO NPs (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) alone and along with thiamine in the diabetic animals resulted in anti-hyperglycemic activity, reducing GGT, BUN, Cr, MDA, and NO levels in treated diabetic mice. In conclusion, the concomitant use of ZnO NPs along with thiamine presents the potential as a combination therapy for the treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic mice skin changes.