The impact of fusaric acid on oxidative stress, ferritinophagy, and ferroptosis pathways: a review

Abstract Fusaric acid (FA) is a mycotoxin produced by multiple Fusarium species and is a frequent contaminant of maize and other cereal grains. Its toxicological effects are closely tied to its structural characteristics, particularly its weak acid nature and strong metal-chelating ability, with iron being a critical target. By disrupting iron homeostasis, FA contributes to oxidative stress by enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and modulating antioxidant defence pathways. Furthermore, FA’s interaction with iron positions it as a potential regulator of ferritinophagy and ferroptosis, two interconnected processes that link iron metabolism to cellular survival and death. Although FA has been associated with other cellular pathways, its precise role in iron-dependent pathways remains insufficiently defined. This review seeks to consolidate current knowledge on FA, emphasising its iron-chelating properties and their impact on iron-dependent mechanisms, including oxidative stress, ferritinophagy, and ferroptosis.