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.