New insights into puerarin alleviates intestinal injury in emamectin benzoate-exposed grass carp through inhibiting inflammation and ferroptosis

Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is a novel and highly efficient insecticide. In the present study, we investigated the protective role of puerarin (PR) on EMB-induced intestinal injury in grass carp. Intestinal pathological damage was detected by H&E staining. Inflammatory cytokines were measured by qRT-PCR. Nrf2 signaling pathway was tested by western blot analysis. The results showed that EMB caused pathological damage to carp intestinal tissue, and PR could alleviate EMB-induced intestinal injury. PR significantly inhibited EMB-induced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression, as well as NF-κB activation in intestinal tissue. Furthermore, PR suppressed EMB-induced MDA and iron production and increased the production of GSH and CAT production, and GPX4 expression induced by EMB. Western blot results demonstrated that PR markedly increased the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in intestinal tissue. In conclusion, the results indicate that PR alleviates EMB-induced intestinal inflammation and ferroptosis in grass carp through activating Nrf2 signaling pathway. • Puerarin alleviated emamectin benzoate-induced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production and NF-κB activation. • Puerarin alleviated emamectin benzoate-induced ferroptosis. • Nrf2 and HO-1 expression was increased by puerarin.