Hamid Reza Attaran - Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
Faezeh Fatemi - Materials and Nuclear Fuel Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
Azadeh Rasooli - Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abolfazl Dadkhah - Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
Mohammad Reza Mohammadi Malayeri - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran
Salome Dini - Young Researchers and Elite Club, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

Over loading of iron oxide nanoparticles can causes the liver injury through overproduction of free radicals. Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Lamiaceae) has been used for many years in folk medicine due to its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. This study evaluates -for the first time- the effect of Z. multiflora essential oil (EO) against iron oxide nanoparticles hepatotoxicity in rat model. Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into ۴ groups; control group (C), non-treated control group (NT), treatment groups, nanoparticles plus Z. multiflora EO at ۱۰۰ and ۲۰۰ mg/kg b.w. In following, the liver and blood tissue were collected for estimating antioxidant / oxidative stress parameters including lipid peroxidation (LP), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and liver enzyme asparate transaminase (AST) and also histopathological examinations. Iron oxide nanoparticles toxicity produced a significant increase in the levels of LP, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and AST activity concomitant with decrease in the levels of GSH and GST activity compared to the control group. However, in the treatment groups received Z. multiflora EO, the levels of LP and AST activity reduced together with increasing in GSH content and GST activity were significantly reported. Histopathological studies also supported the biochemical assessments indicating hepatic improvements induced by nanoparticles. Z. multiflora EO protected the liver from injuries induced by iron oxide nanoparticles which can be correlated with its antioxidant activities. This can be a valuable candidate in modulating the oxidative hepatic injuries.

Hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, Antioxidant parameters, Antioxidant agents