Baicalin protects against hepatocyte injury caused by aflatoxin B₁ via the TP53-related ferroptosis Pathway

Baicalin has antioxidative, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its ability to alleviate oxidative stress (OS) and DNA damage in liver cells exposed to aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), a highly hepatotoxic compound, remains uncertain. In this study, the protective effects of baicalin on AFB₁-induced hepatocyte injury and the mechanisms underlying those effects were investigated.

Stable cell lines expressing CYP3A4 were established using lentiviral vectors to assess oxidative stress levels by conducting assays to determine the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Additionally, DNA damage was evaluated by 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and comet assays. Transcriptome sequencing, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments were conducted to determine the mechanisms underlying the effects of baicalin on AFB₁-induced hepatocyte injury. In vivo, a rat model of hepatocyte injury induced by AFB₁ was used to evaluate the effects of baicalin.

In vitro, baicalin significantly attenuated AFB₁-induced injury caused due to OS, as determined by a decrease in ROS, MDA, and SOD levels. Baicalin also considerably decreased AFB₁-induced DNA damage in hepatocytes. This protective effect of baicalin was found to be closely associated with the TP53-mediated ferroptosis pathway. To elaborate, baicalin physically interacts with P53, leading to the suppression of the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11, which in turn inhibits ferroptosis. In vivo findings showed that baicalin decreased DNA damage and ferroptosis in AFB₁-treated rat liver tissues, as determined by a decrease in the expression of γ-H2AX and an increase in GPX4 and SLC7A11 levels. Overexpression of TP53 weakened the protective effects of baicalin.

Baicalin can alleviate AFB₁-induced OS and DNA damage in liver cells via the TP53-mediated ferroptosis pathway. In this study, a theoretical foundation was established for the use of baicalin in protecting the liver from the toxic effects of AFB₁.