Synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid–loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles as a promising treatment in neurotoxicity

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the environment and it affects human health through drinking water and eating food; it is considered an important contributing factor in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To evaluate the ability of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)–loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) to reduce aluminum chloride (AlCl₃)–induced neurotoxicity in rats. Male albino rats were used in this study and divided into four groups namely control, AlCl₃, DHA-treated, and DHA-loaded ZnONP-treated groups. Oxidant and antioxidant parameters, brain fatty acid contents, and neurotransmitter parameters were estimated by HPLC using UV detector. Administration of AlCl₃ significantly increased oxidative stress and decreased neurotransmitter levels compared with that of the control group whereas these disturbances were attenuated in the two treated groups; the results appeared that DHA-loaded ZnONPs were more potent than DHA alone.