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 induced renal toxicity 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) and only PON (20 mgkg⁻¹). Our results displayed that PEMPs intoxication escalated the levels of urea, KIM-1, creatinine and NGAL while reducing 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-6, IL-1β, NF-kB and TNF-α were augmented following the PEMPs intoxication. Besides, the results of the current research demonstrated that the expressions of Bax and caspase-3 were esclated whereas the Bcl-2 expression was lowered from its standard value due to PEMPs provision. However, PON treatment significantly restored the PEMPs-induced aforementioned 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.