Chenopodium murale essential oil alleviates the genotoxicity and oxidative stress of silver nanoparticles in the rat kidney

This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Chenopodium murale extract (CME), to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the Chenopodium murale essential oil (CMEO) and the protective role against nephrotoxicity of AgNPs. Seven groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally for 21 days included the control group, AgNPstreated groups (25 or 50 mg/kg b.w), CMEO-treated groups (0.5 or 1 mg/kg b.w) and AgNPs plus CMEO-treated groups. The synthesized AgNPs were 30-50 nm in size. CMEO is rich in total phenolic and flavoniods and showed high antioxidant and radicals scavenging activity in vitro. AgNPs disturbed kidney function, decreased the antioxidant enzymes, increased serum electrolytes, TNF-α, MDA and NO, up-regulated Bcl-2, down-regulated Bax and P53 and induced histological changes in kidney tissue. CMEO protected the kidney against AgNPs toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. It could be concluded that AgNPs induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in the kidney. CMEO overcomes the nephrotoxicity and should be considered as a supplement to protect the kidney against oxidative stress.