A recent outbreak of foodborne illness in Taiwan in 2024 caused by Bongkrekic acid (BKA), a mitochondrial toxin found in contaminated fermented rice products, resulted in six fatalities and highlighted the critical need for effective treatments. BKA poisoning leads to systemic inflammation, multi-organ failure, and high mortality rates. In response to this urgent clinical challenge, a study was conducted to assess the therapeutic potential of a traditional Chinese medicine formula, NRICM102, in combination with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to mitigate BKA-induced hepatorenal toxicity in a mouse model.
The study findings demonstrated that the administration of NRICM102, NAC, and their combination significantly enhanced survival rates, decreased levels of serum biomarkers indicative of organ damage, and ameliorated liver and kidney histopathological alterations following acute and subacute BKA exposure in mice. RNAseq analyses revealed that the NRICM102-NAC combination exerted synergistic effects on critical pathways related to mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, immune responses, and cell death regulation.
Despite the promising outcomes observed in the study, further investigations are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying the synergistic protective effects of NRICM102 and NAC. Specifically, targeted studies focusing on mitochondrial function are needed to validate the associative findings and advance the understanding of the therapeutic potential of this combination therapy.
Overall, the study suggests that the combination of NRICM102 and NAC presents a viable therapeutic strategy for addressing BKA-induced hepatorenal injury. However, before clinical application, additional preclinical safety assessments and pharmacokinetic studies are essential to ensure the efficacy and safety of this treatment approach.
In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of exploring innovative treatment modalities, such as combining traditional Chinese medicine with antioxidants, to combat the toxic effects of substances like BKA. By leveraging synergistic interactions between natural compounds and conventional therapies, researchers aim to develop effective interventions for mitigating the detrimental impact of foodborne toxins on human health.
