Baicalein mitigates chlorpyrifos-induced intestinal injury by blocking AMPK–ULK1 binding via the autophagy/ferroptosis axis

Long-term environmental exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) can cause intestinal damage. Baicalein (BAI) helps aquatic organisms resist environmental pollution stress. Adenosine 5′-monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key molecule in energy regulation; however, the mechanism by which BAI inhibits CPF-induced autophagy/ferroptosis remains unclear. Based on reported environmental concentrations and IC 50 values of CPF, we established models using the midgut of carp and Epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells exposed to CPF with or without BAI treatment. Transcriptomics and network pharmacology were used to analyze the key pathways affected by CPF and BAI. Tissue damage, cell cycle regulation, autophagy, ferroptosis, and mitochondrial function were assessed. The effect of BAI on AMPK–unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK1) binding was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation, co-immunoprecipitation, and laser confocal analysis. In addition, the regulatory impact of an AMPK activator on the autophagy/ferroptosis axis was examined. Results indicated that BAI alleviated CPF-induced pathological changes and mitochondrial damage. CPF exposure caused tight junction disruption, mitochondrial depolarization, and reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that CPF toxicity is related to phagosomes, cell cycle regulation, and ferroptosis. By targeting AMPK, BAI prevents the formation of the AMPK–ULK1 complex and inhibits the CPF-induced cascade involving excessive autophagy, cell cycle arrest, and ferroptosis. In conclusion, BAI targets AMPK to prevent binding with ULK1, thereby suppressing the CPF-activated autophagy/ferroptosis axis, reversing mitochondrial dysfunction, and restoring intestinal homeostasis.