Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) in Rats Exposed to Oral Polystyrene Nanoplastics

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) is traditionally consumed by Indonesians to maintain health. This study investigated the anti-inflammation and immunomodulatory properties of ethanolic extract of C. ternatea flower (CTE) on rats exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs). Twenty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal control, negative control, and treatment groups (administered with CTE at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/ kg body weight (BW) after PS-NPs). The administration of PS-NPs and CTE was carried out via oral gavage for 35 days. Cytokine levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematological parameters were evaluated with an automated hematology analyzer, and histological parameters were quantified microscopically from hematoxylin and eosin (H and E)-stained sections using a digital microscope. All data were statistically analyzed (α=0.05) using One Way ANOVA followed by Tukey test. GC-MS profiling showed that the major compound found in CTE was 1-Methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrol[1,3]thiazepinol[2,3-f]purine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (67.63%) which has antiinflammatory impact. Administration of CTE (100, 200, 400 mg/kg BW) significantly altered the number of white blood cells (P<0.001), enhance the number of hemoglobin (P=0.003) and hematocrit percentage (P=0.036). CTE administration (at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW) significantly lowered interleukin-1 levels (P=0.035). The 200 mg/kg dose could reduce the interleukin-6 level significantly (P<0.001). Meanwhile, CTE 100 and 400 mg/kg doses could significantly lower TNF-α levels (P<0.001). Furthermore, a significant increase in glomerulus diameter (P=0.003), lower percentage of necrosis in proximal convoluted tubules (P=0.001) and distal convoluted tubules (P<0.001), rise epithelial thickness of proximal convoluted tubules (P=0.031) were observed in CTE treatment groups. CTE has the potential to serve as an effective agent for modulating immune responses by exhibiting anti-inflammatory response, antioxidant activity, and by promoting the recovery of damaged kidney tissue.