Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

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

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.

2025 Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Article Tier 2

Metabolic–endocrine remodelling of the testis under polystyrene nanoplastic exposure: Intervention by organ-specific phytocomplexes of Nelumbo nucifera

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics impair testosterone production and sperm quality in male rats by inducing testicular oxidative stress and disrupting cholesterol and energy metabolism, and showed that extracts from lotus plant organs — especially the rhizome — significantly protected testicular function through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

2026 Reproductive Biology
Article Tier 2

Palliative potential of robinetin to avert polystyrene microplastics instigated pulmonary toxicity in rats

Researchers investigated whether the flavonoid compound robinetin could protect against lung damage caused by polystyrene microplastic exposure in rats. They found that robinetin supplementation reduced oxidative stress markers and inflammatory responses in lung tissue that had been damaged by microplastic ingestion. The study suggests that certain natural compounds may help mitigate some of the harmful effects of microplastic exposure on respiratory tissues.

2024 Journal of King Saud University - Science 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the Pulmonary Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics: A Hierarchical Oxidative Stress Mechanism Driving Acute–Subacute Lung Injury

Researchers investigated the pulmonary toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics smaller than 100 nm in lung epithelial cells and macrophages, finding that exposure triggered a hierarchical oxidative stress mechanism that drove acute to subacute lung injury through lipid peroxidation and inflammation.

2025 Research
Article Tier 2

Investigation of pulmonary toxicity evaluation on mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics: The potential protective role of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine

Researchers investigated lung damage in mice exposed to inhaled polystyrene nanoplastics and tested whether the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine could offer protection. They found that nanoplastics caused significant lung inflammation, tissue damage, and oxidative stress, but N-acetylcysteine treatment helped reduce these harmful effects. The study suggests that oxidative stress is a key mechanism behind nanoplastic-induced lung injury and points to potential protective strategies.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 85 citations
Article Tier 2

Protection of Exogenous Antioxidant of Cinnamomum burmanii as a Hepatoprotective on the Toxicological Responses of Nanoplastics in Rats (Rattus norvegicus L.)

Researchers tested whether Cinnamomum burmanni leaf extract (CLE) protects rat liver function from polystyrene nanoplastic toxicity, administering NPs orally for 14 days with or without 100–400 mg/kg CLE for 28 days. NPs caused oxidative stress and liver damage, while CLE at 200–400 mg/kg significantly reduced hepatotoxicity markers and restored antioxidant enzyme activity, suggesting hepatoprotective potential against nanoplastic-induced toxicity.

2025 Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastic induced airway hyper-responsiveness, and pulmonary inflammation are mitigated by bronchom treatment in murine model of lung disease

Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles triggered airway hyper-responsiveness, lung inflammation, and structural damage similar to asthma-like symptoms. An herbal medicine called Bronchom, given as a pre-treatment, significantly reduced these harmful effects by lowering inflammatory cell counts and cytokine levels in the lungs. The study suggests that microplastic inhalation can cause meaningful respiratory problems and identifies a potential natural approach for mitigating lung inflammation caused by microplastic exposure.

2025 Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastic particles: In vitro pulmonary toxicity assessment

Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene microplastics on human lung cells in the laboratory and found that the particles triggered inflammation and oxidative stress. The microplastics also weakened the protective barrier function of lung tissue by depleting key structural proteins. The study suggests that inhaling microplastics may increase the risk of respiratory problems by damaging the lung's natural defenses.

2019 Journal of Hazardous Materials 654 citations
Article Tier 2

Sinensetin mitigates polystyrene nanoplastics induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats: A biochemical and histopathological study

Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics caused significant liver damage in rats, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death, along with elevated liver enzymes that are markers of liver injury in clinical settings. Treatment with sinensetin — a natural plant flavonoid — substantially reversed these effects, restoring antioxidant enzyme activity and reducing inflammatory markers. The findings establish a potential protective role for natural compounds against nanoplastic-induced organ toxicity and illuminate the mechanisms by which nanoplastics harm the liver.

2023 Journal of King Saud University - Science
Article Tier 2

Internalization and toxicity: A preliminary study of effects of nanoplastic particles on human lung epithelial cell

Researchers studied the effects of polystyrene nanoplastic particles on human lung cells and found that the particles were internalized by the cells and caused dose-dependent toxicity. The nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupted normal cell function. The findings suggest that inhaling airborne nanoplastics may pose risks to respiratory health.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 613 citations
Article Tier 2

Pharmacological assessment of delphinidin in counteracting polystyrene microplastic induced renal dysfunction in rats

Researchers investigated whether the plant compound delphinidin could protect against kidney damage caused by polystyrene microplastics in rats. They found that microplastic exposure triggered oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death markers in kidney tissue, while delphinidin treatment significantly restored normal kidney function. The study suggests that delphinidin may have protective properties against microplastic-induced organ damage in animal models.

2024 Journal of King Saud University - Science 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Possible Ameliorative Role of Robinetin to Counteract Polystyrene Microplastics Instigated Renal Toxicity in Rats

Researchers tested whether robinetin, a plant-derived compound, could protect rat kidneys from damage caused by polystyrene microplastic exposure. They found that microplastics caused significant kidney harm through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death, but robinetin supplementation substantially reversed these effects. The study suggests that natural antioxidant compounds may offer a protective strategy against microplastic-related organ damage.

2024 Pakistan Veterinary Journal 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential of Macang (Mangifera foetida) Bark Extract on Antioxidant Levels and Pro-Apoptotic Proteins in Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Exposed to Polystyrene Nanoplastics

Researchers assessed whether Mangifera foetida (macang) bark extract could protect male rats against reproductive and immune damage caused by polystyrene nanoplastic exposure, finding that the extract's antioxidant compounds partially restored superoxide dismutase activity and reduced apoptosis markers at 500 mg/kg doses.

2025 Sains Malaysiana
Article Tier 2

Narirutin ameliorates polystyrene microplastics induced nephrotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation and Nrf2/Keap1 pathway

Researchers investigated whether narirutin, a natural compound found in citrus fruits, could protect kidneys from damage caused by polystyrene microplastics in rats. The study suggests that microplastic exposure triggered significant kidney stress through oxidation and inflammation, but narirutin helped reduce that damage by activating protective cellular pathways.

2024 Journal of King Saud University - Science 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Combined cytotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and phthalate esters on human lung epithelial A549 cells and its mechanism

Researchers investigated the combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and common plasticizer chemicals (phthalate esters) on human lung cells. At lower nanoplastic concentrations, the particles actually reduced the toxicity of the plasticizers by adsorbing them, but at higher concentrations nanoplastics dominated and worsened overall cell damage. The study identified oxidative stress and inflammation as key mechanisms driving the combined toxic effects on lung tissue.

2021 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 149 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Nanoplastics Induce Lung Injury via Activating Oxidative Stress: Molecular Insights from Bioinformatics Analysis

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics induce lung cell injury through oxidative stress pathways, identifying key transcription factors and the molecule TNFRSF12A as crucial mediators of nanoplastic-triggered redox imbalance and respiratory damage.

2022 Nanomaterials 31 citations
Article Tier 2

In vitro evaluation of nanoplastics using human lung epithelial cells, microarray analysis and co-culture model

Researchers tested polystyrene nanoplastics on two types of human lung cells and found that the particles caused cell damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation-related gene changes at relatively low concentrations. Using a co-culture model that mimics the lung's layered structure, they showed that nanoplastics can trigger immune responses even in cells not directly exposed. The study suggests that inhaled nanoplastics may pose respiratory health risks through both direct toxicity and inflammatory signaling.

2021 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 199 citations
Article Tier 2

Sesamin Protects Against Polystyrene Microplastics-Induced Lung Injury via Attenuating Bcl2-Mediated Apoptosis

Scientists found that sesamin, a natural compound found in sesame seeds, helped protect mice's lungs from damage caused by microplastics (tiny plastic particles we consume from food and water). The sesamin worked by preventing lung cells from dying and reducing harmful inflammation when exposed to these plastic particles. While more research is needed in humans, this suggests that eating sesame-based foods might help protect our lungs from the microplastics we're increasingly exposed to in our daily lives.

2026 Antioxidants
Article Tier 2

Attenuative Effects of Ginkgetin Against Polystyrene Microplastics-Induced Renal Toxicity in Rats

Researchers found that ginkgetin, a natural flavonoid, significantly reduced polystyrene microplastic-induced kidney damage in rats by restoring antioxidant enzyme activity and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation markers.

2023 Pakistan Veterinary Journal 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Protective effect of curcumin against microplastic and nanoplastics toxicity

Researchers reviewed studies examining whether curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, can protect against the toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics in the body. Evidence indicates that curcumin helped reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and organ damage caused by plastic particle exposure across multiple organ systems in animal studies. The review suggests that natural antioxidant compounds like curcumin may hold promise for mitigating some of the harmful effects of plastic pollution on health.

2024 International Journal of Environmental Health Research 9 citations