Thyme Oil Nanoemulsion Enhanced Cellular Antioxidant and Suppressed Inflammation in Mice Challenged by Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress

Cadmium is a poisonous trace element which induces oxidative stress and pollutes the environment. Nanoemulsions are recognized as a new drug delivery system with enhanced therapeutic efficacy. In the present study, nanoemulsion of Thymus vulgaris essential oil was prepared and characterized. The effects of the essential oil on body weight gain, liver mineral content, histopathology, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant- and inflammatory-related gene expressions were also investigated in mice challenged by cadmium-induced oxidative stress. Characterization of nanoemulsion (e.g., polydispersity index, particle size, and ζ-potential) indicated a good stability degree of T. vulgaris essential oil. Phytochemical analysis by GC–MS also demonstrated T. vulgaris essential oil contained phenolic compounds i.e., thymol, p-cymene, ɣ-teripinene, carvacrol, caryophyllene and linalool. The treatment of mice with T. vulgaris essential oil significantly (p < 0.05) improved body weight changes, reduced cadmium deposition in the liver and decreased lipid peroxidation compared to control group. Also, the antioxidative potential was enhanced whereas inflammation in the tissues were suppressed. The GPx gene was up regulated whereas iNOS genes were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in kidney, liver and brain tissues. Our findings suggest T.vulgaris essential oil can be a promising protective agent against cadmium-induced oxidative stress