Cinnamaldehyde nano-emulsion modulates oxidative stress, inflammation, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway: a promising protective strategy against gamma irradiation-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Atoms emit energy in the form of ionising radiation, which can be transmitted as particles (alpha, beta, or neutrons) or electromagnetic waves (gamma or X-rays). Ionising radiation has been shown in cellular and animal models to be a potential toxicity risk factor. The purpose of this research was to examine the probable protective effect of cinnamaldehyde nano-emulsion against gamma-irradiation-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Forty-eight rats were separated into eight groups (6 rats/group) as follow; the control group I, the first treated group II (rats were received 40 mg/kg B.W. cinnamaldehyde), second treated group III (rats were received 40 mg/kg B.W cinnamaldehyde nano-emulsion), irradiated group IV (rats were exposed to 8 Gy single dose gamma-radiation), first treated irradiated group V (rats were received 40 mg/kg B.W. cinnamaldehyde for 7 days, and at day 7, they were exposed to 8 Gy single dose gamma-radiation), the other treated irradiated groups VI, VII, and VIII (rats were received 40, 20, and 10 mg/kg B.W. cinnamaldehyde nano-emulsion respectively, for 7 days and on day 7, they were exposed to 8 Gy single dose gamma-radiation). The results demonstrated that the cinnamaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde nano-emulsion administration to animals before irradiation significantly amended the alterations that happened in the renal functions compared with irradiated group. Similarly, the alterations in renal tissue malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β levels, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and haem oxygenase-1 relative genes expressions were markedly ameliorated compared with the irradiated group. The irradiation group's histological results displayed characteristic renal lesions, but the other irradiated treated groups' renal tissues had relatively well-preserved architecture. Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde nano-emulsion act as a potent free radicals' scavenger in the kidney to prevent or improve the toxic consequences of gamma-irradiation as revealed by biochemical and histopathological variations, and may provide considerable protection against radiation-induced inflammatory damage, particularly in the nano-emulsion form.