Evaluation of zinc oxide nanoparticles as a neuroprotective agent on paraquat-induced oxidative stress neuronal model for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition impacting motor function. The herbicide paraquat has been linked to PD development, with oxidative stress being a key contributor to PD pathogenesis. Conversely, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) exhibit neuroprotective potential through its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic activities. This study explore ZnO-NPs potential against paraquat-challenged human SH-SY5Y cells. Paraquat alone induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. Contrastingly, ZnO-NPs pre-treatment demonstrates anti-apoptotic effects by reducing caspase-3/7 activity. The proteomics analysis also suggest ZnO-NPs actively contribute to maintaining proteostasis and enhancing mitochondrial function, offering insights into their potential neuroprotective role in this in vitro PD model.