ToxiconPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109023
Abderrezak Khelfi
{"title":"Therapeutic potentials of Cerastes cerastes venom: A comprehensive review of bioactive molecules and biomedical applications","authors":"Abderrezak Khelfi","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snake venoms represent a vast reservoir of bioactive molecules with both toxic and therapeutic potential. The Saharan horned viper (<em>Cerastes cerastes</em>), distributed across North Africa and the Middle East, produces a venom rich in proteins and peptides that modulate key physiological processes. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the pharmacological activities of <em>Cerastes cerastes</em> venom and its purified components, emphasizing their potential applications in medicine. Enzymes such as phospholipases A<sub>2</sub>, serine proteinases, metalloproteinases, L-amino acid oxidases, and disintegrins have been isolated and characterized, displaying diverse biological effects. These include pro- and anticoagulant activities relevant to hemostasis, cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic properties with implications in cancer therapy, and antiparasitic effects against <em>Leishmania</em> and <em>Schistosoma</em> species. Furthermore, venom-derived L-amino acid oxidases exhibit strong antibacterial activity, particularly against resistant pathogens such as MRSA, while emerging evidence highlights immunomodulatory and radioprotective roles. Despite their promise, challenges related to toxicity, stability, delivery, and potential immunogenicity must be addressed for successful clinical translation. Collectively, <em>Cerastes cerastes</em> venom exemplifies the therapeutic versatility of natural toxins and offers a valuable platform for the discovery and development of novel agents targeting cancer, infectious diseases, hemostatic disorders, and immune-mediated conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 109023"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109012
G.V. Malykin, M.S. Puzanov, P.V. Velansky, V.G. Kuznetsov, T. Yu Magarlamov
{"title":"Tetrodotoxin in diet items of highly toxic ribbon worm Cephalothrix cf. simula (Palaeonemertea, Nemertea)","authors":"G.V. Malykin, M.S. Puzanov, P.V. Velansky, V.G. Kuznetsov, T. Yu Magarlamov","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We, for the first time, have carried out a search for tetrodotoxin and its analogues (TTXs) in extracts of various animals being potential diet items for highly toxic nemerteans <em>Cephalothrix</em> cf. <em>simula</em> using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). We have screened TTXs in a total of 57 specimens from 2 classes. Рresence of TTX from five polychaetes species belonging to three families was shown. We here discuss the role of diet items as a source of TTXs for carnivorous TTX-bearing animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 109012"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146053996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109014
Yusuf Ali , Shamsiddin Fazliddinov , Ailin Hu , Naziermu Dongmulati , Han He , Zi Yang , Yanhua Gao , Ahmidin Wali , Haji Akber Aisa , Sharafitdin Mirzaakhmedov , Akmal Asrorov , Abulimiti Yili
{"title":"Purification and Characterization of Two Neurotoxins BmKNT1 and BmKNT2 from the Scorpion Buthus martensii karsch venom","authors":"Yusuf Ali , Shamsiddin Fazliddinov , Ailin Hu , Naziermu Dongmulati , Han He , Zi Yang , Yanhua Gao , Ahmidin Wali , Haji Akber Aisa , Sharafitdin Mirzaakhmedov , Akmal Asrorov , Abulimiti Yili","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Scorpion venom is a heterogeneous mixture of proteins and peptides, many of which have multiple bioactivities, including antitumor activity, modulation of ion channels, analgesia, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study, two peptides named BmKNT1 and BmKNT2 were isolated and purified from the <em>Buthus martensii</em> Karsch (BmK) venom by gel filtration chromatography (GFC), ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) and Reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), respectively. The primary structure of BmKNT1 (69 amino acid residues, theoretical pI/Mw: 7.66/7660.5 Da) and BmKNT2 (64 amino acid residues, theoretical pI/Mw: May 6, 7270.33) were determined by a combination of Edman degradation and MALDI-TOF-MS/MS sequencing analysis. It showed a high similarity to that of other scorpion neurotoxins. The Effects of both neurotoxins on Na<sup>+</sup>-channel, K<sup>+</sup>-channel and Ca<sup>2+</sup>-channel in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were determined at 100 μg/ml. The results showed BmKNT2 had inhibitory activity on K<sup>+</sup>-channels expressed on DRG cells, which is a typical characteristic of voltage-gated potassium channel pore area inhibitors. On the contrary, BmKNT1 has activation activity on the K<sup>+</sup>-channel in rat DRG, and both toxins have inhibitory activity on Ca<sup>2+</sup>-channels in rat DRG.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 109014"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146053903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.108997
Luiza Spinola Gabriel , Eduardo Oliveira Venancio de Lima , Pedro Henrique Tavares Perrotti , Lucas de Carvalho Francisco Alves , Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo
{"title":"Comparative analyses of Bothrops fonsecai snake venom: individual variability and sex-based differences","authors":"Luiza Spinola Gabriel , Eduardo Oliveira Venancio de Lima , Pedro Henrique Tavares Perrotti , Lucas de Carvalho Francisco Alves , Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.108997","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.108997","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snakebite envenomation is a neglected tropical disease affecting thousands of people globally, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. An estimated 81,000 to 138,000 deaths occur annually, with many survivors experiencing permanent disabilities. In Brazil, around 26,000 cases are reported each year, with the genus <em>Bothrops</em> responsible for 83.8 % of them. <em>Bothrops</em> venoms are rich in metalloproteases, serine proteases, phospholipases A<sub>2</sub>, and L-amino acid oxidases, which can cause hemorrhage, tissue necrosis, coagulation disorders, and hypotension. This study focuses on the biochemical and toxicological characterization of <em>Bothrops fonsecai</em> venom, an understudied and near-threatened species endemic to southeastern Brazil, not included in the venom pool for antibotropic serum preparation. Venoms from male and female specimens maintained at the Butantan Institute were compared using standard biochemical, enzymatic, immunological assays, and protein composition. Females tented to exhibited higher enzymatic activity than males in nearly all tests performed. Significant differences were found in EC<sub>50</sub> values for indirect hemolysis and in the minimum coagulant dose, also indicating sex-based variation in venom potency. SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC analyses revealed qualitative and quantitative differences in protein composition between sexes and individually. Immunological assays (ELISA and Western Blotting) demonstrated good immune recognition patterns, with only a few exceptions, which may reflect intraspecific variability in venom antigenicity. Although some biochemical information on <em>Bothrops fonsecai</em> is available, studies remain scarce and fragmented. This work advances current knowledge by providing a broader characterization of the venom and by examining intraspecific patterns—such as sex-related and individual variation—that had not been previously explored in an integrated way. These findings contribute to a more complete understanding of the species, which is especially relevant given its limited representation in venom research and may contribute to improving the effectiveness of antivenom therapies and clinical management of envenomations caused by this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 108997"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145990865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109001
Babafemi Siji Ajisebiola , Okikiola Olaoye Afolabi , Adesola Abigeal Toromade , Samuel Itang Itang , Omotayo Opemipo Oyedara , Akindele Oluwatosin Adeyi , Johannes Andreas Eble
{"title":"Naja nigricollis venom elicits repro-toxicity in organs of female rats: Clinical implications of snakebite envenoming on reproductive health","authors":"Babafemi Siji Ajisebiola , Okikiola Olaoye Afolabi , Adesola Abigeal Toromade , Samuel Itang Itang , Omotayo Opemipo Oyedara , Akindele Oluwatosin Adeyi , Johannes Andreas Eble","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snake venoms toxins could exert toxicological effect with consequence on reproductive functions following snakebite envenoming. The clinical implications of snakebite envenoming on female reproductive health remains unraveled. This study used an animal model to evaluate the pathophysiological effects of <em>Naja nigricollis</em> venom on female reproductive organs. Thirty female albino rats were randomly selected into three groups (n = 10). Group 1 was the control injected with saline, while groups 2 and 3 were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/kg (LD<sub>25</sub>) and 1.0 mg/kg (LD<sub>50</sub>) of <em>N. nigricollis</em> venom, respectively. The venom lethal doses caused significant decrease in the body weight, organs and relative organs weight of the uterus, uterine tube and the ovary compared to the control. There was dysregulation in hormones secretion as serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in envenomed groups. The venom induced substantial oxidative stress evidenced by elevation of malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase activity, with a concomitant decrease of glutathione levels in the uterus, uterine tube and ovary of the envenomed rats. Inflammatory biomarkers of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the female reproductive organs of the envenomed rats. The venom modulated signaling pathways of protein transcription factors by suppressing Nrf2 activation while, inducing overexpression of NF-κB in the uterus, uterine tube and ovary of envenomed rats. Also, these tissues of the uterus, uterine tube and ovary showed severe pathohistological defects after envenomation. Our findings demonstrated that <em>N. nigricollis</em> envenoming inflicts clinical toxicity on overall female reproductive system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 109001"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146041771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108969
Haifeng Xu , Mátyás A. Bittenbinder , Julien Slagboom , Nicholas R. Casewell , Paul Jennings , Jeroen Kool
{"title":"Selectivity screening of cytotoxicity evoked by viper venoms and their toxins after nanofractionation","authors":"Haifeng Xu , Mátyás A. Bittenbinder , Julien Slagboom , Nicholas R. Casewell , Paul Jennings , Jeroen Kool","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108969","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108969","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cytotoxicity is a major pathological effect that can occur during snakebite envenoming. To better understand the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms behind snake venom-induced cytotoxicity, it is essential to use appropriate <em>in vitro</em> tools for bioassaying cytotoxicity evoked by snake venoms. Identifying the toxins causing cytotoxicity is also important in this regard, particularly in the context of developing more effective snakebite treatments. Cytotoxicity induced by venom toxins can result in local pathologies in snakebite victims, which can result in long-term morbidity, and is frequently observed after bites by medically important vipers. In the present study, we optimized and applied an analytical cytotoxicity profiling platform for <em>in vitro</em> cytotoxicity assessment of viper venoms. Using four cell lines (RPTEC/TERT1, HepaRG, iPSC-EC, HaCat), we applied an imaging analysis assay together with resazurin reduction to identify the mechanisms of cytotoxicity at the level of cell necrosis, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and/or cell apoptosis. Strong cytotoxic peaks are consistent with ECM-associated cytotoxic effects, as reflected by pronounced reductions in cell area and monolayer integrity. These cytotoxicity bioassays were integrated into nanofractionation analytics and high throughput venomics, which allowed for the identification of viper venom cytotoxins at the biological and chemical levels. Venom profiling showed ECM degradation as the main cytotoxic mechanism, except for <em>Daboia russelii</em>, which induced necrosis and apoptosis in three cell lines. Cytotoxicity largely disappeared after reversed-phase separation, prompting use of non-denaturing SEC in nanofractionation analytics, which revealed strong cytotoxic peaks for <em>Bothrops jararaca</em> and <em>Calloselasma rhodostoma</em> in RPTEC/TERT1 cells. The methodology presented here combined analytical and biochemical tools allowing rapid cytotoxicity profiling of viper venom toxins in parallel with toxin identification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 108969"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145990900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-19DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.108999
Franklin Riet-Correa , Juan F. Micheloud , Mizael Machado , Fabio S. Mendonça , Ana Lucia Schild , Francisco A. Uzal , Ricardo A.A. Lemos
{"title":"Toxic plants affecting livestock in South America: Review of epidemiology, diagnosis, control, economic impact and implications to human health1","authors":"Franklin Riet-Correa , Juan F. Micheloud , Mizael Machado , Fabio S. Mendonça , Ana Lucia Schild , Francisco A. Uzal , Ricardo A.A. Lemos","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.108999","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.108999","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this paper is to review the information on toxic plants for ruminants and horses in South America, a continent in which there are 237 plants known to be toxic for livestock. Predisposing factors for plant toxicity include parts or vegetative state of the plants consumed, sprouting after rains, toxic dose, social facilitation, palatability, hunger, thirst, naivete, ingestion period, susceptibility/resistance, transportation, climatic alterations, and environmental degradation. Toxic plants can be forage or non-forage species. The latter can be invasive plants from other regions or from the same region. For the diagnosis of plant poisoning caused by known active compounds, the detection of these substances in the plants and/or animals, coupled with clinical signs, clinical and anatomic pathology, is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. When the toxic compound is unknown, the diagnosis is based on epidemiology, clinical signs, clinical and anatomic pathology. Control methods include management practices, biologic control, conditioned food aversion, and integrated control strategies, whereas prophylactic approaches are mainly based on natural or induced resistance and preventive management practices. It is concluded that plant poisonings cause significant economic losses in livestock in South America. However, they are not sufficiently studied in several regions and countries of the continent and the creation of new research groups is necessary to improve the knowledge of poisonous plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 108999"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146019799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109013
Zhuofeng Jiang, Tingyuan Xing, Yau-Tuen Chan, Cheng Zhang, Yibin Feng, Ning Wang
{"title":"Aflatoxin contamination and detoxification in traditional Chinese medicines","authors":"Zhuofeng Jiang, Tingyuan Xing, Yau-Tuen Chan, Cheng Zhang, Yibin Feng, Ning Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds, primarily <em>Aspergillus flavus</em> and <em>Aspergillus parasiticus</em>. These mycotoxins can contaminate various agricultural products, including grains, nuts, and seeds, posing serious health risks. Similarly, a significant portion of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) is either cultivated through artificial means or harvested from natural environments, making it susceptible to contamination as well. By addressing these critical aspects, the review aims to enhance the safety and quality of TCMs. Despite extensive research on aflatoxins in food crops, systematic reviews focusing on their contamination in TCMs remain limited. This review aims to bridge this gap by synthesizing current knowledge on storage conditions and detoxification strategies for TCMs vulnerable to aflatoxin contamination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 109013"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146047155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109015
Dalong Wang , Xiaopeng Chen , Yueyue Li , Yingying Wang , Yaojun Wang , Zujia Chen , Jingjing Wu , Chong Wang
{"title":"Epimedium-derived icarisid I induces oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity by suppressing PI3K/AKT/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway","authors":"Dalong Wang , Xiaopeng Chen , Yueyue Li , Yingying Wang , Yaojun Wang , Zujia Chen , Jingjing Wu , Chong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epimedium, a traditional herbal medicine with a wide range of pharmacological uses, has been linked to adverse effects, including nephrotoxicity. Nevertheless, the specific toxic components and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This research examined the nephrotoxic effects of icarisid I, a major flavonoid metabolite of <em>Epimedium</em>, and delved into its molecular mechanisms. The study demonstrated that icarisid I induces significant nephrotoxicity both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>. In HK-2 cells, it triggered oxidative stress, indicated by altered SOD, GSH, and MDA levels, and induced apoptosis. In mice, it caused severe renal tubular damage and elevated plasma BUN and creatinine. Mechanistically, icarisid I potentially inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway, leading to the suppression of Nrf2 and its downstream target HO-1. We conclude that icarisid I contributes to the nephrotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis via suppression of the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, a finding critical for the safety evaluation of <em>Epimedium</em>-derived compounds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 109015"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxiconPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109019
Wei Tang , Jinfeng Zhao , Kai Liu , Peng Liao
{"title":"Rosemary extract mitigates deoxynivalenol-induced intestinal inflammation in weaned piglets via activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and suppression of NF-κB/MAPK signaling","authors":"Wei Tang , Jinfeng Zhao , Kai Liu , Peng Liao","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the protective role of rosemary extract (RE) against intestinal inflammation induced by deoxynivalenol (DON) in weaned piglets. Sixty piglets were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments for a 21-day period: a basal diet (Control), a basal diet supplemented with 1.5 mg/kg DON (DON group), and a basal diet containing 200 mg/kg RE plus 1.5 mg/kg DON (RE + DON group). Dietary RE supplementation alleviated the negative impacts of DON on growth performance and organ indices (liver and spleen), while also improving DON-induced alterations in serum biochemical markers. RE effectively reduced intestinal oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), along with restored activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P<em>x</em>), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the intestinal mucosa. Moreover, DON exposure increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TGF-β, IL-10) in the mucosa, whereas RE supplementation significantly restored cytokine balance. At the molecular level, DON inhibited the Nrf2-Keap1 antioxidant pathway, while RE enhanced the expression of Nrf2, Keap1, and the downstream targets HO-1 and NQO1, thereby mitigating oxidative damage. Furthermore, RE suppressed the DON-induced activation of MAPK (ERK, p38, JNK) and NF-<em>κ</em>B p65 signaling pathways, which contributed to the reduction of mucosal inflammation. In summary, RE attenuates DON-induced intestinal injury in weaned piglets by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway and inhibiting the MAPK/NF-<em>κ</em>B inflammatory signaling cascade.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 109019"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}