# Positive Effects of Allicin on Cytotoxicity, Antioxidative Status, and Immunity in “Eriocheir sinensis” Hepatopancreatic Cells Against Oxidative Stress-Induced Injury

## TL;DR

Allicin, a natural compound, protects crab hepatopancreatic cells from oxidative stress and shows promise as a safe antioxidant in aquaculture.

## Contribution

This study is the first to systematically investigate allicin's antioxidant mechanisms in aquatic crustaceans using integrated in vitro and in vivo models.

## Key findings

- Allicin reduced T-BHP-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in crab hepatopancreatic cells.
- Allicin modulated antioxidant and inflammatory pathways, including Nrf2 and p38-MAPK/NF-κB.
- Dietary allicin reversed oxidative stress effects in a 35-day in vivo feeding trial.

## Abstract

Oxidative stress represents a critical threat to aquatic animal health and aquaculture productivity. Allicin, a natural plant extract, has not been systematically investigated for its antioxidant mechanisms in aquatic crustaceans. This study established in vitro and in vivo models of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (T-BHP)-induced oxidative stress in Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of allicin. Integrating biochemical, transcriptomic, and ultrastructural analyses, we found that allicin significantly alleviated T-BHP-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in vitro. Mechanistically, allicin up-regulated antioxidant genes including glutathione peroxidase (gpx) and thioredoxin reductase 1 (trxr1), and down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (il-1β), suggesting the concomitant activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of the p38-MAPK/NF-κB pathway. Transcriptomics further indicated its role in restoring proteostasis and mitochondrial function. A 35-day feeding trial validated these findings in vivo; dietary supplementation with 300 mg·kg−1 allicin effectively reversed T-BHP-induced disturbances in antioxidant enzyme activities and immune-related gene expression. These consistent findings demonstrate that allicin alleviates hepatopancreatic oxidative damage through multi-pathway synergism, supporting its potential as a green and effective antioxidant feed additive in aquaculture.