Fahimeh Nourbakhsh - Ph.D. of Toxicology, Deputy of Food and Drug, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Mohammad Reza Saebi - Ph.D. student in Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, ShahrekordBranch, Iran.
Elaheh Tajbakhsh - Department of microbiology, Faculty of Basic Silences, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Iran.
Ebrahim Rahimi - Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch,Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most important secondary metabolites of Penicilliumand Aspergillus. Ochratoxin was recognized in ۱۲۶۵ as the most important carcinogenicmycotoxin in agricultural products. Due to the key role of the lungs in maintaining thefunction of other organs of the body, we examined the role of the Zataria multiflora extract(ZM) in an experimental model of lung inflammation induced by Ochratoxin-A in mice.Hence the study was designed with ۱۴-day gavages of OTA in mice. Markers of oxidativestress including, pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukins, TNF-α, Nrf۲ pathway (Keap۱,TLR۴, MnSOD, H۰-۱, Nrf۲) and apoptotic factors (Bax/Bcl۲, Caspase ۳ Caspase ۲ werealso evaluated. The results revealed that Nrf۲ pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokineinterleukins-associated proteins were detected which are involved in inflammation andtissue damage. Administration of Administration of Zataria multiflora (۲۵ and ۵۰ mg/kg)significantly alleviated lung inflammation, oxidative damage, inflammatory cytokines andapoptosis protein levels compared to OTA. In conclusion, the results of the study show thatZataria multiflora has strong antioxidant effects against inflammation and apoptosis ofOTA toxicity in lung tissue.

Ochratoxin A, Carvacrol, lung, inflamation, apoptosis