Attenuation of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate-induced hepatic and renal toxicity by naringin nanoparticles in a rat model

Abstract This study assessed the protective effect of citrus flavanone, naringin (Nar), and its nanoformulation against di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) toxicity in albino rats. Keeping green nanotechnology as the cornerstone, nanoparticles of Nar were synthesized and characterized using electron microscopy (transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy), particle size distribution, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The synthesized nanoparticles were primarily spherical with an average size of 109 nm and a low polydispersity index of 0.175. Mature male albino rats were used for the exposure study. Group I was negative control. Groups II, III, and IV were exposed to (250 mg·kg b·wt−1) DEHP for 3 weeks. Group III was treated with bulk Nar (5 mg·kg b·wt−1), and group IV was treated with non-naringin (NNar) (5 mg·kg b·wt−1). Group V was exposed only to NNar. Exposure to DEHP significantly enhanced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β, 6, 8 (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α). In addition, the repression of hepatic mRNA expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 was also observed. In addition, marked histopathological alterations were observed in the hepatic and renal tissues. Treatment with both Nar and NNar significantly alleviated the DEHP-induced oxidative stress/inflammatory response along with the associated histological alterations. However, therapeutic utility of NNar was more profound underlining its potential in nutraceutical therapeutics with high green credentials. Graphical abstract Effect of naringin and its nanoparticles against DEHP toxicity in a rat.