Protective effects of Thymus numidicus Poiret essential oil on nephrotoxicity caused by titanium dioxide (Tio2) nanoparticles in wistar rats

We studied the protective impacts of Thymus numidicus Poiret essential oil (TEO) on the

nephrotoxicity induced by TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) at both histological and oxidative levels. Adult

male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group-I: Control, Group-II: Received

12 mg/kg/day of TiO2 NPs, Group-III: Received 4μL/kg/day of Thymus numidicus Poiret essential

oil and Group-IV: Administered Essential oil and TiO2 NPs for 30 days. Administered TiO2 NPs

significantly increased the serum uric acid levels and creatinine levels than control. Furthermore,

rats exposed to TiO2 NPs increased MDA content with reduction in renal GSH, GPx and GST

activities when compared with control. Renal toxicities induced by TiO2 NPs were evident through

disturbances in oxidative-antioxidant system and changes in serum renal markers. However, these

changes were prevented and the antioxidant status was preserved when experimental rats were

treated with Thymus numidicus Poiret essential oil. The biochemical evidence of nephroprotection

was supported by the histological findings. This study demonstrated that Thymus numidicus Poiret

essential oil significantly decreased the adverse effects of TiO2 NPs, highlighting its role in

reducing nanoparticle-induced renal dysfunction. Its nephroprotective activity was attributed to its

chemical composition and antioxidant properties.