Background: With the increasing use of nanoparticles of zinc Oxide (nZnO) in the industry, the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, the effects of the nanoparticles on opioid dependence and its possible interaction with vitamin C (as an antioxidant agent) has not been indicated. This study aimed to clarify the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on morphine dependence in the presence and absence of vitamin C in CPP method.

Materials and Methods: In this study, adult male mice weighing 25±3 g were used in the groups which received different doses of morphine(2/5, 5, 10 mg/kg, Sc), Nano ZnO (1, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg, IP), vitamin C (1, 5, 25 mg/kg, IP) and groups which receiving combination of vitamin C and nano ZnO. All categories received morphine 5 mg / kg, for induction and diagnosis of dependence in CPP.

Results: Nano ZnO concentrations (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg, IP) caused a significant decrease in morphine CPP (p <0.01, p <0.001) and the 1 mg/kg of nano was ineffective. Vitamin C in doses of 5 and 25 mg/kg decreased the expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (p<0.01) and a value of 1 mg/kg had no effects. All doses of ZnO in the presence of ineffective dose of vitamin C showed a stronger inhibitory effect than to alone nZnO in morphine CCP.

Conclusion: The combination of vitamin C and Nano ZnO are more effective to deal with the psychological dependence to morphin and probably can provide a new approach to addiction treatment.

Abstract

Background: Nanoparticles are used in various applications due to unique mechanical and physicochemical properties such as their increased surface area to volume ratio and quantum effects. This study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of zinc oxide nanopaticles on hematological and biochemical parameters BALB/c mice.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 adult male mice BALB/c, were divided into four groups (one control group and three experimental groups). The mice in the experimental groups orally received Zinc Oxide nanoparticles with doses of 50, 100 and 300 mg/kg for 14 days. The control group received distillated water only. On 15th day, some hematological and biochemical parameters were studied on the blood samples collected.

Results: Results showed that Zinc Oxide nanoparticles cause changes in blood cells. In high concentration, nanoparticles increased some of factors such as white blood cells, hemoglubin, MCV and neutrophil and besides decreased amount of RBCs, pLTs, hematocrit, lymphocytes, glucose and kratenin significantly (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The findings showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles cause harmful effects due to the considerable variations in hematological and serum parameters in mice  in a dose-dependent way.