Quinoa and Moringa Seeds Extracts Mitigated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Neuronal Toxicity Induced by TiO2-Nanoparticles in Rats

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) can harm the brain, causing neurotoxicity. Functional foods such as quinoa and moringa seeds have many pharmacological benefits and neuroprotective effects. This study investigates the impact of quinoa and moringa seeds ethanolic extracts (QSE and MSE) administration on neurotoxicity induced by TiO2-NPs in rats. TiO2-NPs were synthesized and characterized by several methods. Sixty adult male rats were categorized into six groups: two control groups designated as healthy, and TiO2-NPs-intoxicated groups. The other groups received the same dose of TiO2-NPs with either low (100 mg/kg) or high (200 mg/kg) doses of QSE or MSE orally. HPLC analysis of the phytochemical components of each extract was performed. Several behavioral and biochemical measures were assessed. In addition, the gene expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and apoptosis markers, cerebral mitochondrial activity, and DNA fragmentation were also evaluated. The results indicated a higher total phenolic and flavonoid content in red QSE than in MSE. The study reported the potential neuroprotective effects of QSE and MSE against TiO2-NPs neurological intoxication, targeting neuronal ERS, apoptosis, and restoring cerebral mitochondrial activity.