Ameliorative effects of thymoquinone on titanium dioxide nanoparticles induced acute toxicity in rats

Although the nanoparticles had a beneficial activity, it had also adverse effects as a result of generation of oxidative stress. The current study aimed to assess the ameliorative effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) induced acute toxicity in male rats. Forty-eight male rats were distributed into four equal groups (12 rats each). Group (1) received single oral dose of TiO₂ NPs (300 mg/kg), Group (2) received TiO₂ NPs and TQ (20 mg/kg), Group (3) received TQ and group (4) received only the vehicle and served as control group. TiO₂ NPs intoxicated group showed increased the level of lipid peroxidation product (LPO), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and decreased the level of antioxidants and testosterone. Vascular and degenerative changes in the liver and testes were observed by light microscopy as well as presence of TiO₂ NPs in the lysosomes by electron microscopy. Treatment with TQ revealed improvement of the biochemical parameters, histology and ultrastructure of the liver and testes. It was concluded that acute intoxication of rats with TiO₂ NPs induced adverse effect in the liver and testes. Administration of TQ has an ameliorative effect against oxidative stress induced by TiO₂ NPs intoxication.