Curcumin attenuates nanoparticle-induced renal injury via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) primarily originate from nanoscale fragments formed through weathering, mechanical abrasion, and biodegradation of polystyrene plastics under natural conditions. Exposure to PS-NPs endangers human health, so exploring curcumin's (Cur) nephroprotective effects against PS-NPs-induced injury is crucial. This research integrated network pharmacology with in vitro and in vivo assays and conducted validation using the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Experimental results demonstrate that PS-NPs exposure triggers significant renal damage characterized by elevated injury biomarkers, oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Cur intervention effectively reverses these pathological changes by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB axis and modulating the BAX/BCL-2 balance. Furthermore, cellular assays confirm that Cur reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and DNA damage, with its protective efficacy mirrored by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. In conclusion, Cur protects against PS-NPs induced renal injury by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling, thus mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. These results demonstrate that Cur holds promise as a natural antioxidant to combat health hazards linked to nanoplastics.