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 14 mg/kg (intraperitoneally (ip) and per os (po)) for 2 weeks followed by single po ketoprofen administration (in three doses: 5,10,and 20 mg/kg). results the zno-nps (but not zno-s) at a dose of 14 mg/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 7 mg/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 14 mg/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. © 2017