Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles-Doped Curcumin-Assisted Recovery of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Antioxidant Status in Experimental Rabbits

Abstract

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and synovial joint destruction. Aims The current study investigated the possible beneficial effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles doped curcumin (ZnONPs-DC) on the recovery of RA and antioxidant status of experimental rabbits. Methods RA was induced in experimental rabbits by injecting complete Freund’s adjuvant and collagen type-II emulsion (100 μL/kg body weight) in the base of their tail. Arthritic rabbits were orally treated with ZnONPs, curcumin, and ZnONPs-DC(250 μL/kg bodyweight). Serumsamples fromthe control and study groupswere collected before and afterRAinduction and after treatment. The sera were subjected to analysis of biological markers of RA and antioxidant status. Results The complete Freund’s adjuvant and collagen type II treatment resulted in positive rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein elevated oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant potential. Each treatment showed the absence of rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein decreased oxidative stress and improved antioxidant potential compared to the control. However, ZnONPs-DC treatment showed a comparatively higher decline in serum malondialdehyde MDA content and an elevation in the antioxidant activity of RA animals. Conclusions In conclusion, using zinc oxide nanoparticles-doped curcumin may be an effective anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory drug in controlling RA.