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Distinct responses of Caenorhabditis elegans to polyethylene microplastics and plant secondary metabolites

Environmental Pollution 2025 3 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 58 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Wanxin Liu, Xiaochen Chen, Ziwei Chen, Xiaochen Chen, Ziwei Chen, Xiaochen Chen, Xianhua Liu Wanxin Liu, Ziwei Chen, Yi Wang, Xianliang Yi, Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Xianliang Yi, Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianliang Yi, Xiaochen Chen, Xiaochen Chen, Kaixin Zheng, Wanxin Liu, Wanxin Liu, Ziwei Chen, Xianhua Liu Yi Wang, Xianhua Liu Ziwei Chen, Xianhua Liu Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Wanxin Liu, Wanxin Liu, Kaixin Zheng, Jiao Wang, Xiaochen Chen, Xiaochen Chen, Xianhua Liu Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Xiaochen Chen, Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Ziwei Chen, Xianhua Liu Jiao Wang, Xianliang Yi, Ziwei Chen, Xiaochen Chen, Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Ziwei Chen, Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianliang Yi, Xianliang Yi, Xianliang Yi, Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Xiaochen Chen, Xiaochen Chen, Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianliang Yi, Xianliang Yi, Xiaochen Chen, Xianliang Yi, Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Xiaochen Chen, Xianhua Liu Xianliang Yi, Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu Xianhua Liu

Summary

Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics and plant-derived chemical compounds individually and together affect the roundworm C. elegans, a common soil organism. They found that while the plant compounds reduced worm reproduction and lifespan, microplastics had milder individual effects but modified the toxicity of the plant chemicals when combined. The study reveals that in real soil environments, the interactions between microplastics and natural plant chemicals create complex toxicity patterns.

Polymers

Body Systems

Nervous

Models

C elegans

Soil worms are among the most abundant and functionally diverse soil animals. However, they have been largely overlooked in studies on microplastic (MP) toxicity. MPs and plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are ubiquitous in soil due to plant litter decomposition and heavy MP contamination, inevitably interacting and exerting combined toxicity on soil organisms. However, little research has been conducted on their joint effects. This study investigates the individual and combined toxic effects of polyethylene (PE) MPs and three PSMs (glycyrrhizic acid, tannic acid, and matrine) on the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Physiological and biochemical responses were assessed using fluorescence microscopy, image analysis, and statistical methods. After 42 h of exposure to PE MPs and/or PSMs, worm growth and development were negatively impacted. Under experimental conditions, matrine and PE MPs synergistically inhibited worm growth, exacerbated neurological damage, and induced oxidative stress. In contrast, glycyrrhizic acid and tannic acid alleviated PE MP-induced growth inhibition, mitigated oxidative stress, and demonstrated antioxidant properties that counteracted oxidative damage. This study offers new insights into the combined effects of MPs and PSMs in soil ecosystems, contributing to ecological risk assessments and pollution management strategies.

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