Pyrazole permethrin-induced liver toxicity in mice involves the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway: Integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation

Pyrazole permethrin (also known as pyraclostrobin, abbreviated as PP) is a widely used fungicide that is chemically stable and fat-soluble; however, due to its accumulation in the environment and bioaccumulation, it poses potential health risks.This study systematically elucidates PP-induced liver injury through a combination of network toxicology and in vitro/in vivo investigations. Network toxicology identified 328 potential targets and 12 core genes associated with PP-induced liver injury. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed pathway enrichment emphasizing biological processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and lipid metabolism. In vivo experiments in mice revealed that after 28 days of exposure, histopathological analysis showed minor local inflammatory cell infiltration and extensive hepatocyte necrosis and vacuolation in both low- and high-dose groups. High-dose PP significantly elevated serum transaminase (AST and ALT) activity. Biochemical analysis revealed that PP treatment reduced antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, T-AOC, GSH-Px) while increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, inducing oxidative stress. Additionally, PP exposure enhanced the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α). This indicates activation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways: oxidative damage occurs via depletion of the antioxidant enzyme system, while inflammatory cascades are mediated through the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling axis. This study reveals key molecular targets and pathways involved in PP-induced hepatotoxicity, suggesting that subacute exposure risks should be fully considered when establishing safety standards for agricultural chemical use.