الفهرس 
Introduction and Review of LiteratureOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Depression is regarded as one of the most devastating brain disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-depressant effect of different treatments: free Curcumin, Zinc oxide nanoparticles [ZnO] NPs, and Curcumin-Conjugated ZnO Nanoparticles [Zn(cur)O] NPs. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: control rats, a rat model of depression induced by reserpine, rat model treated with [ZnO] NPs, rat model treated with free Curcumin and rat model treated with [Zn(cur)O ] NPs. The different nanoformulations were characterized using different techniques such as transmission electron microscope, particle size, scanning electron microscope and zeta potential determination. The toxicity of [Zn(cur)O] NPs was in vivo evaluated using an acute toxicity study (LD50 determination). Forced swimming and open field tests were done to assess rat behavior before and after treatment. The findings indicate that Zn(cur)O NPs effectively optimized reserpine-induced behavioral and neurochemical improvements than free Curcumin and [ZnO] NPs. As shown by the open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST), reserpine caused a decline in motor activity and swimming time and decreased immobility time. Treatment with Zn(cur)ONPs has improved the locomotor activity of rats, and there was a significant decrease in the immobility time. Additionally, the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased, and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) increased. Also, the level of serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) increased. In conclusion, the current results indicate that curcumin conjugated zinc oxide nanoparticles could alleviate a depressive-like state of rats and is a promising antidepressant treatment.