Maternal and developmental toxicity induced by Nanoalumina administration in albino rats and the potential preventive role of the pumpkin seed oil.

Although Nanoalumina is widely used in many biomedical applications, its potential toxic effect on pregnant women and developing embryos/fetuses has not been reported. In this investigation, the maternal and developmental toxicity caused by Nanoalumina during gestation and the potential preventive role of the pumpkin seed oil (PSO) were evaluated. Four groups of pregnant rats were orally administered during days 5-19 of gestation as follows: control group, Nanoalumina group (70 mg/kg b.w), PSO- group (4 ml/kg b.w.), and Nanoalumina plus PSO- group. Nanoalumina induced detrimental impacts in pregnancy outcomes, fetal growth retardation, morphological anomalies, hepatic and neural DNA damage, and histopathological changes in hepatic and neural tissues of both mother and fetus, respectively. Furthermore, the level of MDA is significantly increased and activities of GSH and CAT are significantly reduced in both tissues of nanoalumina-administered rats. PSO co administration improved pregnancy outcomes, fetal growth parameters, DNA damage, antioxidant defenses the histopathological changes of nanoalumina-gavaged rats and significantly diminished MDA level. Finally, PSO has a preventive role against the detrimental impacts of nanoalumina in dams and fetuses probably via its potential to prevent reactive oxygen species.