Boletus edulis-derived zinc nanoparticles attenuate gentamicin-induced renal injury by activating the Nrf2 pathway and suppressing apoptosis


EKİCİ M., Ekici H. B., Mendil A. S., Türkekul İ., Özgür A., Aykut Uner A.

International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/09603123.2026.2644452
  • Dergi Adı: International Journal of Environmental Health Research
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, MEDLINE
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: apoptosis, Gentamicin, nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, zinc oxide nanoparticles
  • Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Gentamicin (GEN) is an effective aminoglycoside whose clinical use is limited by dose-dependent nephrotoxicity. This study evaluated renoprotective effects and mechanisms of zinc nanoparticles synthesized with an extract of the edible mushroom Boletus edulis (BE-ZnNPs). BE-ZnNPs were characterized by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD and STEM. Thirty-five rats were divided into five groups: Control; GEN (100 mg/kg, i.p.); GEN +BE-ZnNPs (1 mg/kg, p.o.); GEN + BE-ZnNPs (3 mg/kg, p.o.); and BE-ZnNPs (3 mg/kg) alone. Biochemical (BUN, creatinine), molecular (qRT-PCR for Bax, Bcl-2, Casp-3, Cyt-c, Nrf2, HO-1, Hsp27, Hsp70), histopathological, and immunohistochemical (8-OHdG, 4-HNE, dityrosine, cleaved caspase-3) analyses were performed. GEN caused significant renal dysfunction, histological damage, and increased oxidative-stress and apoptosis markers. BE-ZnNPs treatment—particularly at 3 mg/kg—markedly improved BUN/creatinine and histology, reduced oxidative and apoptotic immunopositivity, upregulated Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1, and downregulated Bax, Casp-3, Cyt-c, Hsp27, and Hsp70. Protection is mediated by activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway and inhibition of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic cascade. BE-ZnNPs are a promising biocompatible agent to mitigate drug-induced kidney injury.