In-Depth Analysis of <i>Olea europaea</i> L. Leaf Extract: Alleviating Pulmonary Histological Disturbances, Pro-Inflammatory Responses, and Oxidative Stress from Isolated or Combined Exposure to Inhaled Toluene and Noise in Rats
Takoua Ben Attia,
Sana Bahri,
Sonia Ben Younes,
Afef Nahdi,
Ridha Ben Ali,
Linda Bel Haj Kacem,
Michèle Véronique El May,
Eduardo Alberto López-Maldonado,
Abada Mhamdi
Affiliations
Takoua Ben Attia
Laboratory of Research “LR 23/ES/10”: Population Pathology, Environmental Aggressors, Alternative Therapy, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
Sana Bahri
Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
Sonia Ben Younes
Laboratory of Research “LR 23/ES/10”: Population Pathology, Environmental Aggressors, Alternative Therapy, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
Afef Nahdi
Laboratory of Research “LR 23/ES/10”: Population Pathology, Environmental Aggressors, Alternative Therapy, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
Ridha Ben Ali
Laboratory of Research “LR 23/ES/10”: Population Pathology, Environmental Aggressors, Alternative Therapy, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
Linda Bel Haj Kacem
Research Unit n° 17ES15, Department of Pathology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
Michèle Véronique El May
Laboratory of Research “LR 23/ES/10”: Population Pathology, Environmental Aggressors, Alternative Therapy, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
Eduardo Alberto López-Maldonado
Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana CP 22390, BC, Mexico
Abada Mhamdi
Laboratory of Research “LR 23/ES/10”: Population Pathology, Environmental Aggressors, Alternative Therapy, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
The primary objective of this study was to investigate the pulmonary damage resulting from isolated or combined exposure to inhaled toluene (300 ppm) and noise 85 dB (A), with a focus on evaluating the potential protective effects of Olea europaea L. leaf extract (OLE). Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups: control (C), OLE treatment (O), noise exposure (N), noise exposure with OLE treatment (N+OLE), toluene exposure (T), toluene exposure with OLE treatment (T + OLE), co-exposure to toluene and noise (NT), and co-exposure with OLE treatment (NT + OLE). OLE (40 mg/kg/day) was administered daily for six weeks via oral gavage. Exposure to toluene and noise resulted in significant disruption of the pulmonary tissue structure, accompanied by oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation, diminished catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6, IL-β, and TNF-α. Notably, the administration of OLE effectively mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation and preserved pulmonary histology. In conclusion, exposure to toluene and its combination with noise significantly elevated oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and histological disruptions in the lung tissue. In contrast, noise exposure alone is characterized by minimal effects, although it is still associated with an inflammatory response. Notably, Olea europaea L. leaf extract (OLE) exhibits a substantial protective role, effectively mitigating the adverse effects of combined exposure and highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for lung health.
