2. Academic Validation
  3. Epmedin C Alleviates Deoxynivalenol-Induced Immunotoxicity by Inhibiting Caspase-1 Activation in Chicken Macrophages

Epmedin C Alleviates Deoxynivalenol-Induced Immunotoxicity by Inhibiting Caspase-1 Activation in Chicken Macrophages

  • J Agric Food Chem. 2025 Sep 17;73(37):23617-23632. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c06130.
Wandi Bu 1 2 3,  Xinyao Wu 1 3,  Zhihang Zhong 1 3,  Yuekai Li 1 3,  Yaping Fang 1 3,  Shuang Chen 1 2 3,  Zige Wang 1 3,  Ying Hong 1 3,  Feiyang Dai 3,  Yan Wang 4,  Jun Jiang 1 3,  Yiqun Deng 1 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.
  • 2 Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, P. R. China.
  • 3 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for the Development Biology and Environmental Adaptation of Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.
  • 4 College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.
PMID: 40908127 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c06130
Abstract

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a prevalent mycotoxin in poultry feed, exerts immunotoxicity even at low doses, yet its mechanisms in poultry remain unclear. Here, we evaluated DON's effects using chicken macrophage HD11 cells and one-day-old chicks. In vitro, DON activated the Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway, increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and promoted proinflammatory cytokine release, impairing antibody production. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified epmedin C, a major flavonoid from Epimedium, as a potential Caspase-1 inhibitor. Epmedin C bound strongly to Caspase-1, inhibited its activation, reduced ROS, and suppressed cytokine secretion in HD11 cells, while coculture assays confirmed restoration of antibody production. In vivo, dietary epmedin C supplementation alleviated DON-induced immunotoxicity by restoring antibody levels, reducing splenic Caspase-1 activity, and preserving immune and intestinal structures. These findings highlight epmedin C as a natural Caspase-1 inhibitor that mitigates DON-induced immune damage, offering a promising strategy for mycotoxin detoxification in poultry.

Keywords

caspase-1; chickens; deoxynivalenol; epmedin C; macrophage.

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