Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles along with vitamin C on motor activity and anxiety in adult male rat

Regarding the many applications of nanomaterials in various industries and the existence of many hypotheses on the harmful effects of nanoparticles on living things, the research in this field is of great significance. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc and vitamin C nanoparticles as antioxidants and administration both on locomotor activity and anxiety.

In this experimental study, rats were divided into seven groups including one saline group and six treatment groups. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) were injected intraperitoneally in six groups at three concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/kg and vitamin C at three concentrations of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg. At the end of the prescription period, the number of lines crossed in the open field test for motor activity and the number of stools for anxiety in each group were evaluated over a 5-min period.

Prescription of different doses of ZnO and vitamin C did not indicate any significant change in motor activity compared to the saline group. The injection of 30 and 120 mg/kg of vitamin C decreased the number of defecation (anxiety) compared to the saline group (P < 0.001and P < 0.01, respectively) and also significant decrease was observed at 5 and 1.25 mg/kg doses of ZnO compared to the saline group (P < 0.001).

Based on these observations, vitamin C and ZnO reduced anxiety but had no effect on the motor activity of animals.