Prosopis africana protects against heavy metal mixture-induced pulmonary and hematological toxicity via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/nuclear factor-kappa B/caspase-3 signaling
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: (PA) has antioxidant properties, its potential as a protective agent remains underexplored. This study investigated the protective mechanisms of PA against lead/ cadmium/arsenic-induced pulmonary and hematological toxicity. Materials and methods: Rats were treated with HMM alone or combined with PA (500, 1000, or 1500 mg/kg). The evaluated parameters included lung and blood metal accumulation, oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide), antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]), transcription factors (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2], nuclear factor kappa B [NF-κB]), caspase-3, hematological parameters, and lung histopathology. Multivariate analyses were applied to integrate biomarker patterns. Results: HMM exposure significantly increased tissue metal levels, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, and caspase-3 activity, while suppressing antioxidant defenses and disrupting hematological parameters and lung architecture. PA co-treatment reversed these changes in a dose-dependent manner. At 1500 mg/kg, PA reduced blood metal levels by > 90%, normalized the oxidative-antioxidant balance, decreased IL-6 and TNF-α by 60-70%, suppressed caspase-3 activity by 90%, restored hematological indices, and ameliorated lung damage. Principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses clearly separated the HMM-exposed groups from the PA-treated groups based on their distinct oxidative, inflammatory, and protective profiles. Conclusions: PA protects against HMM-induced toxicity by reducing metal bioavailability - potentially via chelation and/or altered absorption or excretion - coupled with Nrf2 activation and NF-κB/caspase-3 suppression. These findings suggest its potential as an adjunct therapy for heavy metalinduced pathologies.
Source: Biotechnologia
DOI: 10.5114/bta/223960
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7212016423