Interest of metabonomic approach in environmental nephrotoxicants: Application to aristolochic acid exposure

•Mode of action of aristolochic acids nephrotoxicity was assessed by metabonomics in rats.•A metabonomic signature characteristic of proximal tubule injury was observed.•Dose-dependent effects were detected by metabonomics at early stages and morphologically confirmed at later time points.•Renal damages were more pronounced with the mixture or AAII alone than AAI alone.