Rosmarinus officinalis L. ameliorates titanium dioxide nanoparticles and induced some toxic effects in rats' blood.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been widely used as a white pigment in food and drugs. The most important route of human exposure to TiO2 is through food and drug products containing TiO2 additives. This study investigates the efficacy of an oral traditional use of rosemary extract in ameliorating some toxic effects induced on blood of TiO2 NP-intoxicated rats. Rats were given rosemary extract via intragastric administration 1 h before the intragastric administration of 100 mg/kg/day TiO2 NPs (10 nm) for 60 days. TiO2 NPs significantly increased serum cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride levels of rats. They also induced significant oxidative stress and inflammatory and caused DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes. The rosemary extract appears to have a significant protective effect by lowering glucose level properties, restoring the lipid profile and showing an antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antigenotoxic properties against TiO2 NPs toxicity. In conclusion, this study gives an encouraging scientific basis for consumers of rosemary leaves to keep on with this culinary habit.