Cardioprotective potential of sakuranetin to counteract polyethylene microplastics induced cardiotoxicity

Polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) are toxic environmental contaminants which can impair multiple organs including heart. Sakuranetin (SKN) is a potential flavonoid with diverse pharmacological benefits. This research was undertaken to analyze the defensive impact of SKN to avert PEMPs-induced cardiotoxicity. 24 male albino rats were randomly allocated into 4 separate groups: control, PEMPs (1.5 mg kg⁻¹), PEMPs + SKN (1.5 mg kg⁻¹ + 10 mg kg⁻¹) and only SKN (10 mg kg⁻¹) treated group. After 30 days of treatment, our results revealed that PEMPs exposure reduced the expressions of Nrf2 and antioxidant genes while increasing Keap1 expression. Besides, PEMPs intoxication escalated the levels of cardiac markers (CPK, LDH, Troponin I & CK-MB). Additionally, it lessened the activities of GSH, GST, SOD, HO-1, CAT, GSR, GPx whereas the levels of MDA and ROS were increased. Conversely, the levels of inflammatory markers i.e., COX-2 activity IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-kB & IL-6 were augmented. Moreover, the expressions of apoptotic markers i.e., Bax and caspase-3 were elevated while the Bcl-2 expression was decreased. However, SKN treatment significantly restored the PEMPs-induced biochemical dysregulations. Therefore, SKN could be used as a therapeutic compound to ameliorate PEMPs-induced cardiac impairments in rats, possibly due to its tremendous pharmacotherapeutic potential.