In vivo Sub Acute Toxicity Studies of Zinc Oxide and Silver/Selenium Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles after Oral Ingestion in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

The nanoparticles, such as ZnO, Ag doped ZnO (Zn0.80Ag0.20O1-δ) and Se doped ZnO (Zn0.80Se0.20O1-δ) were prepared by chemical synthesis route. In order to understand their sub-acute toxicity level in animal system, these nanoparticles were suspended in water and administered orally for 14 consecutive days to Swiss albino mice. At the end of 14th day, the animals were killed via cervical dislocation method. The examination of their serum and the organs, viz. liver and kidney was carried out. This comprises of resolving of serum biochemical levels and organ indices. A significant elevation of γ-GT, AST, ALT and LDH levels in mice when exposed with Ag/Se doped ZnO nanparticles in comparison with ZnO nanoparticles was found out. The results of enzymatic/non-enzymatic assays (protein, ROS, LPO, LDH, NO, GSH and GPx) inferred that the ZnO based nanoparticles treated mice group has shown higher levels of free radicals inside the cell and caused severe tissue damage. From AAS studies, the accumulation of zinc in the liver in mice was noticed. The result of western blotting analysis was also reported.