We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Nobiletin‐mediated autophagy mitigates nanoplastic‐induced toxicity in human intestinal Caco‐2 cells
Summary
Researchers found that nobiletin, a natural compound from citrus peel, can protect human intestinal cells from damage caused by nanoplastics. The compound worked by activating autophagy, a cellular cleanup process that helps cells remove harmful materials. The study suggests that certain plant-derived compounds may offer a protective effect against the intestinal damage associated with nanoplastic exposure.
The presence of nanoplastics (NPs), which cause oxidative stress and damage to the cell structure due to the breakdown of microplastics (MPs), poses considerable ecological and health challenges. This study investigated the protective role of nobiletin (NOB), a flavonoid derived from citrus peel, in modulating autophagy and mitigating NP-induced toxicity in human intestinal Caco-2 cells. The Caco-2 cells were treated with NPs and varying concentrations of NOB to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagic activity. We observed that exposure to NPs resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability and an increase in the expression of apoptosis markers. Exposure to NPs reduced Caco-2 cell viability and disrupted autophagic processes by decreasing LC3B and increasing p62 levels, indicating impaired autophagy. NOB treatment reversed these effects by enhancing autophagic activity by upregulating LC3B and downregulating p62. Furthermore, NOB improved lysosomal integrity and decreased apoptotic markers such as Bax and cleaved caspase-3 while increasing Bcl-2 expression. NOB also facilitated the nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB through activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibiting mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), promoting cellular detoxification and homeostasis. NOB has the potential as a therapeutic agent that leverages the autophagic pathway to mitigate the adverse effects of NPs, suggesting a novel approach for managing NPs toxicity in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Nobiletin Ameliorates Aging of Chicken Ovarian Prehierarchical Follicles by Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Promoting Autophagy
This study investigated a plant compound called nobiletin (found in citrus fruits) as a treatment for age-related decline in chicken egg production caused by follicle aging. While focused on poultry science rather than microplastics, the research is relevant because it demonstrates how antioxidants can counteract oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage -- the same types of cellular harm that microplastics and nanoplastics have been shown to cause in various tissues.
The impact of nanomaterials on autophagy across health and disease conditions
Researchers examined how nanomaterials — including nanoplastics — interact with autophagy, the cell's internal recycling and cleanup system. Depending on the type and dose, nanoplastics can either trigger helpful cellular defense responses or push cells toward self-destruction, a dual nature that has important implications for both environmental health and the design of nanomaterial-based medicines.
Biological Modulation of Autophagy by Nanoplastics: A Current Overview
This review examines how nanoplastics interfere with autophagy, the cell's natural recycling and cleanup process. While cells initially activate autophagy to deal with nanoplastic particles, prolonged exposure can overwhelm this system, leading to cell damage and death. Understanding this process is important because it may explain how long-term nanoplastic exposure contributes to tissue damage and disease in humans.
Maltol attenuates polystyrene nanoplastic-induced enterotoxicity by promoting AMPK/mTOR/TFEB-mediated autophagy and modulating gut microbiota
Researchers found that maltol, a natural food flavoring compound, can protect against intestinal damage caused by polystyrene nanoplastics in mice. Maltol worked by activating cellular cleanup processes (autophagy) and restoring the balance of gut bacteria disrupted by nanoplastic exposure. The study suggests that dietary compounds like maltol could potentially help mitigate some of the gut health effects associated with nanoplastic ingestion.
Protective effects of exocarpium citri grandis extract and its flavonoid components against polystyrene microplastic-induced hepatointestinal injury
Scientists found that an extract from citrus fruit peels (called ECG) helped protect mice from liver and gut damage caused by tiny plastic particles. The citrus extract reduced harmful inflammation and oxidative stress while improving healthy gut bacteria balance. This research suggests that natural compounds from citrus peels might help protect our bodies from the health risks of microplastics that we encounter in our food and environment.