# Protective Effect of Biobran/MGN-3, an Arabinoxylan from Rice Bran, Against the Cytotoxic Effects of Polyethylene Nanoplastics in Normal Mouse Hepatocytes: An In Vitro and In Silico Study

## TL;DR

Biobran, a rice bran extract, protects liver cells from damage caused by plastic nanoparticles in lab experiments and computer simulations.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates Biobran's novel protective effect against polyethylene nanoplastics-induced liver toxicity through in vitro and in silico approaches.

## Key findings

- Biobran co-treatment restored cell viability to 85% at high PE-NP concentrations.
- Biobran reduced total cell death by 2.4-fold and normalized G2/M arrest.
- In silico analysis showed Biobran blocks PE-NP interactions with inflammatory and cell cycle proteins.

## Abstract

Background: Plastic is one of the most versatile and widely used materials, but the environmental accumulation of nanoplastics (NPs) poses a risk to human health. Preclinical studies have verified that the liver is one of the main organs susceptible to NPs. Biobran/MGN-3, an arabinoxylan from rice bran, has been shown to have hepatoprotective effects; here, we show Biobran’s ability to alleviate polyethylene nanoplastics (PE-NPs)-induced liver cell toxicity by reversing apoptosis and restoring G2/M cell arrest in mouse liver cells (BNL CL.2). Methods: Toxicological effects were measured using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay for cell viability and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis and apoptosis. An in silico study was also used to demonstrate the docking of PE-NPs to pro-inflammatory mediator proteins (IL-6R, IL-17R, CD41/CD61, CD47/SIRP), cell cycle regulators (BCL-2, c-Myc), as well as serine carboxypeptidase, which is an active ingredient of Biobran. Results: Exposing liver cells to PE-NPs caused a significant decrease in cell viability, with an IC50 value of 334.9 ± 2.7 µg/mL. Co-treatment with Biobran restored cell viability to normal levels, preserving 85% viability at the highest concentration of PE-NPs. Additionally, total cell death observed after exposure to PE-NPs was reduced by 2.4-fold with Biobran co-treatment. The G2/M arrest and subsequent cell death (pre-G0 phase) induced by PE-NPs were normalized after combined treatment. The in silico study revealed that Biobran blocks the nucleophilic centers of PE-NPs, preventing their interaction with pro-inflammatory mediators and cell cycle regulators. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential use of Biobran as a hepatoprotector against NP toxicity.