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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Human Health Effects Nanoplastics Remediation Sign in to save

Protective Effects of Nelumbo nucifera Extracts on Lung Exposed to Polystyrene Nanoplastics; Histological and Phytochemical Analysis

Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology) 2025
Putri Ayu Ika Setiyowati, Putri Ayu Ika Setiyowati, Yuningtyaswari Yuningtyaswari, Yuningtyaswari Yuningtyaswari, Risya Secha Primindari, Dina Maria Effendi, Nur Fatimah Azzahra Habibaturrahma, Vuanghao Lim, Alfiah Hayati, Alfiah Hayati

Summary

Researchers tested whether extracts from lotus plant (Nelumbo nucifera) leaves, flowers, and rhizomes could protect rat lungs from polystyrene nanoplastic-induced damage. All three extracts reduced lung histological damage caused by PS-NP exposure, with rhizome extract showing the strongest protective effect.

Polymers
PS
Body Systems
Immune Respiratory
Models
Rat

Polystyrene nanoplastics (Ps-NPs) are emerging environmental contaminants known to cause significant respiratory damage due to oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Nelumbo nucifera extracts derived from leaves (T1), flowers (T2), and rhizomes (T3) on lung histology in rats exposed to 2 µL/kg body weight of Ps-NP administered orally. The study involved 25 rats divided into five groups: negative control, positive control, T1, T2, and T3, with treatment groups receiving 200 mg/kg body weight of the respective extracts. Histological parameters analyzed included inflammatory cell count, alveolar wall thickness, and alveolar lumen dilation score. The results showed significant differences among groups (p<0,05), with T3 (rhizome extract) demonstrating the most effective histological recovery. The phytochemical screening revealed that N. nucifera leaves, flowers, and rhizomes contain flavonoid, phenol, steroid, tannin, terpenenoid, and saponin (exception in rhizome), and the amount of flavonoid levels is 20.04 ± 0.03 mg QE/g (leaves), 14.46 ± 0.08 mg QE/g (flowers), and 9.23 ± 0.04 mf QE/g (rhizomes). These findings indicate that extracts of N. nucifera exert significant protective effects against Ps-NP induced pulmonary damage. This suggests their potential as natural therapeutic agents for mitigating lung injury caused by environmental nanoplastic exposure.

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