Nono‐titanium dioxide exposure during the adolescent period induces neurotoxicities in rats: Ameliorative potential of bergamot essential oil

INTRODUCTION: In adolescence, the brain is still maturing, and disorders in maturation may affect the normal development of the brain. Exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) has various potential negative effects on the central nervous system. Bergamot essential oil (BEO) has been found to be effective for neuroprotection. METHODS: The rats were injected intraperitoneally with TiO(2) NPs (20 mg/kg) and/or BEO (200 mg/kg). The endogenous antioxidant state and inflammatory parameters were estimated using ELISA kits, and then the memory ability and anxiety‐like behavior in rats were assessed. RESULTS: TiO(2) NPs exposure during the adolescent period induced anxiety‐like behavior, cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation and oxidative damage in hippocampus, and BEO treatment could significantly ameliorate the neurotoxicities induced by TiO(2) NPs exposure. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the negative effects of TiO(2) NPs exposure during the adolescent period on anxiety‐like behavior and cognitive function may be related to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation induced by TiO(2) NPs exposure. In addition, BEO may ameliorate the neurotoxicities induced by TiO2 NPs exposure in adolescent rats through the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity of BEO.