Reno-protective potential of poncirin against polyethylene microplastics instigated kidney damage in rats via regulating Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway

Polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) are noxious environmental pollutants that are documented to cause organ damage including the kidneys. Poncirin (PON) is a naturally occurring flavonoid which demonstrates a wide range of pharmacological properties. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the palliative potential of PON against PEMPs by examining a range of biochemical and physiological parameters. Twenty-four male albino rats were randomly apportioned into four distinct groups including the control, PEMPs (1.5 mgkg −1 ), PEMPs (1.5 mgkg −1 ) + PON (20 mgkg −1 ) & only PON (20 mgkg −1 ). Our results displayed that PEMPs intoxication escalated the levels of urea, KIM-1, creatinine & NGAL while demising the creatinine clearance level. Besides reduction in the activities of GPx, GST, HO-1, CAT, GSR & upsurge in the levels of MDA and ROS were detected in PEMPs group. Conversely, the levels of inflammatory markers including COX-2, IL-1β, NF-kB and TNF-α were augmented following the PEMPs intoxication. Besides, the results of current research demonstrated that levels of Bax & caspase-3 were more than normal whereas the Bcl-2 expression was lowered from its standard value due to PEMPs provision. However, PON treatment significantly restored the PEMPs-induced biochemical impairments. Therefore, PON could be used as a therapeutic compound to ameliorate PEMPs-induced kidney impairments in rats, possibly due to its tremendous pharmacotherapeutic potential.