Silymarin-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Attenuate Anxiety-Like Behaviors in A Mice Model of Schizophrenia Induced by Ketamine

Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is characterised by psychotic symptoms like positive, negative, and disorganised. Silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid with strong antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities, but clinical application limited due to its poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the silymarinloaded chitosan nanoparticles (SM-CH-NPs) effects on anxiogenic-like behaviors and hyperlocomotion in a mice model of schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into five treatment groups (n=7). Animals received distilled water, Aripiprazole 5, SM or SM-CH-NPs (20 mg/kg/day) orally for 30 days, and from the 15th to the 30th day, they were injected with ketamine (20 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally. Anxiety-like behaviors and locomotor activity were assessed by open field tests. Results: Our results showed that ketamineinduced anxiogenic-like behaviors and hyperactivity. Treatment with SM-CH-NPs showed a significant increase in center duration and decrease in locomotor activity compared to the ketamine-treated group. Conclusion: Our results show that the administration of SM and SM-CH-NPs attenuate anxiety-like behaviorsin a mice model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine