Introduction: Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have potential risks to human health. They were able to enter brain to be detected in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus. Withania somnifera (WS) improve rotenone induced damage in cerebellum.
Aim of the work: To study the effects of oral administration of TiO2 nanoparticles on the cerebellum and the protective role of hydromethanolic root extract of WS (Egyptian Ashwaghandha).
Material and Methods: Seventy five adult male albino mice were divided into five groups (N=15): group 1 (control), group 2 (gum acacia group), and group 3 (WS root extract group) recieved orally hydromethanolic WS root extract (500 mg/kg) once daily, group 4 (TiO2 nanoparticles group) recieved orally TiO2 nanoparticles (150 mg/ Kg), dissolved in gum acacia solution once daily, group 5 (TiO2 nanoparticles + WS root extract group). After sixty days, Sections from the cerebellum were prepared and stained with HandE, Cresyl violet stain as well as Immunohistological stains for nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and GFAP. Morphometrical and statistical analyses were performed.
Results: In TiO2 nanoparticles group, cerebellum showed disrupted purkinje cells with marked degenerative changes, decreased Nissl granules in Purkinje cells, vacuolations in all layers of the cerebellar cortex and dilated congested capillaries in white matter. The number of the Purkinje cell were decreased while GFAP positive astrocytes were increased. Decreased nNOS immunostaining in cortical layers, while the iNOS immunostaining increased and increased eNOS immunostaining in capillary endothelial cells were detected. Administration of the hydromethanolic WS root extract improved the altered cerebellar morphology with significant statistical improvement in purkinje cell and astrocyte count.
Conclusion: TiO2 nanoparticles oral administration induced toxic effects and WS contains active ingredients that counteract these effects.