ACRYLAMIDE (ACR). aneurotoxic chemical generated during high temperature cooking, causes nervous system oxidative stress and neurotransmitter dysregulation. In a rat model, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil was tested for neuroprotection against acrylamideinduced neurotoxicity. Following acrylamide brain damage, rosemary oil was given to animals. 24 male albino rats were divided into four equal groups of six. Group1: Control rats received distilled water orally every day. Group 2: Rats were treated on a daily basis with ACR in a dose of 20 mg/kg.b.wt. Group 3: Rats were treated with rosemary oil in dose of 250 mg/kg body weight. Group 4: Rats received ACR (20 mg/kg b.wt) followed by rosemary oil (250 mg/kg b.wt) once daily for 28 consecutive days. Neurochemical analyses revealed that acrylamide significantly reduced gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine (AChE) levels while elevating nitric oxide (NO), suggesting excitotoxicity and cholinergic dysfunction. Rosemary oil administration restored GABA and AChE levels and significantly attenuated NO production. Furthermore, acrylamide exposure led to marked oxidative stress, evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities. Rosemary oil co-treatment significantly countered these changes, enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative biomarkers .Histopathological examinations corroborated the biochemical findings, indicating a protective role of rosemary oil in preserving brain tissue integrity. These findings suggest that rosemary oil exerts neuroprotective effects through modulation ofneurotransmitters and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant capacity |
