Induction of oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in mouse liver after sub-acute oral exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles

► Mice exposed to 50 and 300 mg/kg b.wt., ZnO NPs through oral route for 14 consecutive days. ► The mice revealed elevated ALT and ALP serum levels and accumulation of NPs in liver with subsequent pathological lesions. ► ZnO NPs induced oxidative stress in the mice liver and kidney as indicated by an increase in LPO. ► The ZnO NPs induced oxidative stress led to DNA damage and apoptosis in the mice liver.