Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41828402›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

Forchlorfenuron Exposure Induces Hepatocyte Apoptosis via MKK3/P38/ATF2 Pathway.

Yunqi Zhang, Yun Luo, Xiaoyang Che, Ziru Dai, Xiao Sun, Xiaobo Sun

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yunqi ZhangState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Yun LuoState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Xiaoyang CheState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Ziru DaiState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Xiao SunState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Xiaobo SunState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.

Funding

the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS) No. 2021-I2M-1-031
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Forchlorfenuron is a widely used plant cytokinin in Traditional Chinese Medicine and agricultural cultivation to boost resistance, postpone senescence, and increase productivity. However, the improper use of forchlorfenuron results in excessive residues and contamination, raising health and safety concerns. Our research investigated the toxicity of forchlorfenuron on hepatocytes in vitro. Results showed that forchlorfenuron inhibited HepaRG cell viability in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Forchlorfenuron-induced cellular apoptosis and the increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) indicated the participation of oxidative stress. Molecular docking and network pharmacology data suggested that the hepatotoxicity of forchlorfenuron might involve the MAPK signaling pathway. After 24 h of forchlorfenuron exposure, the P38-MAP kinase, upstream kinases MKK3, and the transcription factor ATF2 were maximally activated. Apoptosis induced by forchlorfenuron was significantly reduced by pretreatment with the P38 inhibitor SB203580. These findings implicated that HepaRG hepatocyte injuries were generated by forchlorfenuron through the induction of cellular apoptosis via the MKK3/P38/ATF2 pathway. Forchlorfenuron application should be closely managed to prevent potential liver damage.

Indexed as

Activating Transcription Factor 2ApoptosisHepatocytesMAP Kinase Kinase 3MAP Kinase Signaling Systemp38 Mitogen-Activated Protein KinasesPhenylurea CompoundsPyridinesCell LineCell SurvivalHumansImidazolesMolecular Docking SimulationOxidative StressReactive Oxygen SpeciesSignal TransductionActivating Transcription Factor 2ATF2 protein, humanImidazolesMAP Kinase Kinase 3N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylureap38 Mitogen-Activated Protein KinasesPhenylurea CompoundsPyridinesReactive Oxygen SpeciesSB 203580forchlorfenuronhepatocyte apoptosisMKK3/P38/ATF2molecular dockingnetwork pharmacology

Identifiers

PMID41828402
PMCPMC12985043

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.