Recently, Prof. Li Lihua’s team published a research paper entitled “Nrf2-dependent hepatoprotective effects of ellagic acid against liver injury induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles” in Phytomedicine, a top SCI Q1 journal recognized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in both major and minor categories of medicine. Prof. Li Lihua is the first corresponding author, and TU is the primary institution associated with the paper.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have raised safety concerns due to their widespread applications. This study indicated that TiO2 NPs may cause liver injury, primarily by triggering oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Ellagic acid (EA), a dietary polyphenol extracted from natural sources, is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its role in alleviating TiO2 NPs-induced liver injury has remained unclear. This study demonstrated the protective effects of EA against such liver injury. EA significantly reduced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in hepatocytes, and treatment with EA markedly lowered serum transaminase levels in mouse experiments. Additionally, EA mitigated stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver, showing effects comparable to the positive control drug, sulforaphane (SFN). Its mechanism primarily involves the nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of Nrf2. This study provides new insights into the potential application of EA as a natural Nrf2 activator in treating TiO2 NPs-induced liver injury. By activating the Nrf2 pathway, EA can effectively reduce liver injury and improve liver function, suggesting promising applications in liver disease treatment.

This research was supported by the Basic Public Welfare Research Program of Zhejiang Province (LY23H030002) and other projects.

Link to the paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39306885/