Astragaloside IV mitigates T-2 toxin-induced cytotoxicity by preserving mitochondrial homeostasis and suppressing apoptosis

T-2 toxin, a type A trichothecene mycotoxin, induces severe cytotoxicity primarily through mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. In this study, the protective role of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) against T-2 toxin-induced damage was investigated using the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 as an in vitro model. Our results demonstrated that T-2 toxin significantly reduced cell viability, promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and impaired mitochondrial function, as evidenced by disrupted respiratory activity, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced ATP production. These alterations were accompanied by dysregulated mitochondrial homeostasis, characterized by enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and excessive mitochondrial fission, along with activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Pretreatment with AS-IV mitigated ROS accumulation, rescued impaired mitochondrial respiratory function, stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential, maintained cellular ATP level, and restored mitochondrial homeostasis. Furthermore, AS-IV suppressed T-2 toxin-triggered apoptosis by modulating the BAX/BCL-2 ratio, inhibiting cytochrome c release, and attenuating caspase activation. Together, these findings indicate that AS-IV protects HepG2 cells from T-2 toxin-induced cytotoxicity by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and suppressing the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, providing mechanistic evidence for its protective effect.