Abstract
Safflower Seeds (Carthamus tinctorius L. seed (CTS)) have utilized in coloring and flavoring in food industries. The present study aims to evaluate the saver impacts of various CTS levels against neurotoxicity in rats induced by lead (Pb). Thirty-five male rats were classified into five classes each contains 7 rats. Class (I) is the control class and was fed on the basal diet. Class (II) Pb class was administrated oral gavage of lead acetate (30 mg/kg/BW) for eight weeks. Classes (III, IV, and V) were supplemented with different levels of CTS powder formulated with the basal diet (5, 7.5, and 10%, respectively) and combined with Pb intoxication. After eight weeks, serum and brains were collected from rats to measure dopamine, serotonin, antioxidant parameters, and proinflammatory cytokines. Compared to the Pb-intoxicated rats, CTS supplementation ameliorated the Pb-linked elevation in body weight gain, brain weight, and dyslipidemia. Also, it increases the neurotransmitters levels (serotonin and dopamine content) in rats and enhance the antioxidant status of the brain (superoxide dismutase and glutathione functions) while reducing peroxidation of lipid. Moreover, CTS reduced Pro -inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrotic (TNF-alpha) and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity). These outcomes were established by restoring the brain architecture in histological examination. The results of our investigation showed that phenolic-rich CTS supplementation was beneficial in lowering Pb-induced brain inflammation, neuronal damage, and oxidative stress. Therefore, CTS might have a neuromodulatory role against Pb toxicity.