The aim of our research was to understand the impact of ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure on various physiological and behavioral aspects in adult Wistar rats, and to evaluate the efficacy of a Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (EOC) treatment in restoring the damage caused by this toxin. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation, a yield of 12.70% was obtained for EOC, and the GC-MS characterization of this essential oil revealed that its principal major components are eugenol (80.95%), eugenyl acetate (10.48%), β-caryophyllene (7.21%), and α-humulene (0.87%). Acute OTA intoxication was induced by an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 289 µg/kg/b.w. every 48 h for 12 doses, resulting in significant reductions in the body and brain weights of exposed rats when compared with controls. The neurobehavioral analysis using several behavioral testing techniques, such as the forced swimming, the dark/light test, the Morris water maze, and the open field test, clearly revealed that OTA exposure causes neurobehavioral disorders, including decreased locomotor activity, a reduced willingness to explore the environment, reflecting a state of stress, anxiety and depression, as well as impaired memory and learning. In addition, OTA intoxication has been associated with metabolic disturbances such as hyperglycemia and hypercortisolemia. However, treatment with EOC mitigated these adverse effects by improving body and brain weights and restoring neurobehavioral function. The in silico analysis revealed significant affinities between clove oils and two tested esterase enzymes (ACh and BuChE) that were more than or similar to the four neurotransmitters “dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and glutamic acid” and the co-crystallized ligands NAG, MES, and GZ5. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of EOC in combating the toxic effects of OTA and pave the way for future research into the mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications of natural compounds in the prevention and treatment of poison-induced diseases.

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on neurobehavioral testing in young Wistar rats and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Thymus ciliatus (TEO) essential oil to attenuate the damage induced by this chemical toxin. Methods: The essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation (yield of 2.26%), and the characterization by GC-MS indicates that the major components of Thymus ciliatus oil are thymol (63.33%), p-cymene (13.4%), and σ-terpinene (6.69%). Acute BPA intoxication was induced with a dose of 50 mg/kg orally for 60 days. The neurobehavioral evaluation, performed using a comprehensive set of tests including the forced swim test, dark/light box, Morris water maze, open field test, and sucrose preference test, clearly demonstrated that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure induced significant neurobehavioral impairments. Results: These impairments included reduced exploratory behavior indicative of heightened stress, anxiety, and depressive-like states, as well as deficits in memory and learning. Furthermore, BPA intoxication was associated with metabolic disturbances such as hyperglycemia along with histopathological evidence of brain tissue damage. However, TEO treatment attenuated these adverse effects by restoring neurobehavioral function. Molecular docking analysis revealed an affinity between the major essential oils identified in T. ciliatus, BPA, and the 5HT2C receptor and the MAO, AChE, and BChE enzymes, suggesting a potential mechanism underlying BPA’s effects on behavior and memory. In addition, TEO also showed an interaction with these molecules, suggesting a therapeutic potential against BPA. These findings underscore the promising role of TEO in mitigating the poisonous effects of BPA and pave the way for additional research into the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic uses of natural bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of toxic diseases. Thymol, the major compound in TEO, exhibited activity related to the dopamine and serotonin pathways, so it could have potential antidepressant properties. Conclusions: Thymol might be a promising candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurological disorders such as depression, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease while also preventing histological damage in the brain.