Puerarin attenuates polystyrene (PS-MPs) induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and DNA damage in a Rat model

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that pose significant environmental and health concerns attributed to environmental persistence and potential ecotoxicity. The study assessed the protective efficacy of puerarin(Pr), a major isoflavone extracted from Pueraria lobata roots against microplastic toxicity in rats. Male albino rats (n = 42), were exposed to carboxylated polystyrene beads in two sizes, 1µm, and 5 µm for 28 days. Group I was the negative control. Groups III and IV received 1μm and 5 μm PS beads respectively while Group V and VI received the PS beads respectively along with a single oral dose of puerarin (10 mg/kg body weight). Microplastic intoxication with both sizes of PS-MP beads (1 µm and 5 µm) led to oxidative stress. Additionally, a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase was also observed in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the pro-apoptotic proteins. The hepatic expression of p53 was significantly reduced coupled with the suppression of Nrf-2 followed by a downregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. The DNA damage was observable with distinct comets on exposure to both sizes of MPs compared to the control. These results suggest that puerarin at the tested dosage alleviates oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and DNA damage in rats caused by PS-MPs. However, further investigations on different doses and extended exposure duration could establish dose-response correlation and translational significance.