Attenuative effects of tamarixetin against polystyrene microplastics‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats by regulation of Nrf‐2/Keap‐1 pathway

Abstract

AbstractPolystyrene microplastics (PS‐MPs) are environmental contaminants due to their potential to induce damages in multiple organs specifically liver. Tamarixetin (TMT) is a naturally occurring flavonoid present in Tamarix ramosissima plant that exhibits multiple pharmacological properties. Therefore, the present research was designed to evaluate the palliative role of TMT against PS‐MPs instigated liver dysfunction in rats. The exposure to PS‐MPs reduced the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 and antioxidant genes, while increasing the expression of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1. PS‐MPs exposed rats exhibited considerably (p < .05) higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) contents. Additionally, PS‐MPs treatment resulted in a notable decrease in anti‐oxidants activity, that is, glutathione S‐transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) content, whereas upregulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Moreover, PS‐MPs intoxication noticeably increased (p < .05) the inflammatory indices (interleukin‐1ß [IL‐1ß], nuclear factor kappa B [NF‐κB], interleukin‐6 [IL‐6], tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α] levels, and cyclooxygenase‐2 [COX‐2] activity). Besides, Caspase‐3 and Bax expressions were upregulated and Bcl‐2 expression was decreased after PS‐MPs exposure. Additionally, the histomorphological examination revealed notable hepatic damage in PS‐MPs treated group. However, TMT treatment substantially (p < .05) recovered all the PS‐MPs‐induced damages and histopathological changes. Taken together, it can be deduced that TMT might be used as a pharmacological agent to ameliorate hepatic damage.