Ageratina adenophora aqueous extract impairs Ascaris suum egg embryonation and infectivity via disruption of metabolic and detoxification pathways

Ageratina adenophora is a globally invasive perennial herb that poses a significant threat to biodiversity. However, recent studies highlight its potential for ecological utilization, demonstrating antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal properties. Research on its effect on Ascaris suum eggs and the underlying molecular mechanisms remains limited. This study investigated the impact of A. adenophora aqueous extract on A. suum egg development and explored key responsive pathways and genes via RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). A. suum eggs were treated in vitro with various concentrations (0.10%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.00%, 2.50%, 5.00%) of the extract. Embryonation rates decreased dose-dependently, with the 5.00% treatment showing the strongest inhibition (34.24%). Eggs treated with 2.50% and 5.00% extract caused significantly less severe pulmonary lesions and lower larval counts in infected mice, indicating reduced infectivity. Transcriptome analysis of control (WH), 0.10% (EH), and 0.50% (MH) treated eggs identified 281 and 1,083 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for EH vs. WH and MH vs. WH, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that DEGs were primarily involved in transmembrane transport, catalytic activity, carbohydrate metabolic processes, the drug metabolism-cytochrome P450 pathway, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Key genes, including CYP44A1, CYP4V2, CYP4C3, and GST-4, were significantly downregulated. qRT-PCR validated the RNA-Seq results. These findings suggest that A. adenophora extract inhibits A. suum egg development, potentially by disrupting energy metabolism and xenobiotic detoxification pathways. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing A. adenophora -based agents targeting the egg stage of A. suum .