Bushen Huoxue decoction alleviates bisphenol a-induced infertility through the PMK-1 mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathway and downstream mitochondrial unfolded protein response in Caenorhabditis elegans

BSHX decoction significantly increased the fertility of BPA-exposed nematodes by inhibiting the accumulation of RHO-1 proteins in proximal oocytes. BSHX enhanced the heat stress resistance of germ cells, which is mediated by the PMK-1 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways in germ cells. BSHX upregulated the transcriptional level and fluorescent protein level of the innate peptide T24B8.5 <i>via</i> the PMK-1 MAPK pathway. PMK-1 MAPK, induced by BSHX, further activated the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR^mt) in the gonad and intestine. The UPR^mt -regulated gene <i>hsp-6</i> was required to maintain mitochondrial function by reducing mitochondrial ROS levels and elevating the mitochondrial membrane potential, ultimately increasing the female fertility. In addition, a combination of metabolites (salvianolic acid B, quercetin, and asperosaponin VI), derived from the BSHX decoction, significantly enhanced the fertility of BPA-exposed nematodes through a mechanism highly similar to that of the BSHX decoction. Therefore, BSHX decoction increases fertility through the PMK-1 MAPK pathway and <i>hsp-6</i>-mediated UPR^mt in BPA-exposed <i>C. elegans.</i>