Combined analysis of network toxicology and transcriptomics revealed the potential mechanism of EPH-induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish

Ephedrine (EPH) is a sympathomimetic alkaloid used clinically as a decongestant, an adjunct in anesthesia, a dietary supplement, and a sports-enhancing drug. It is detected in the effluents of wastewater treatment plants and surface waters, while its impact on aquatic organisms, especially at environmentally relevant concentrations, remains inadequately understood. This study integrates network toxicology, computational modeling, and molecular docking to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind EPH-induced neurotoxicity. The toxicological risks were assessed using ADMETlab3.0 and ProTox3.0, with neurotoxicity identified as the primary endpoint. Through multi-database mining (including PubChem, ChEMBL, and SwissTargetPrediction), 232 overlapping targets were identified, which were further validated via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis using STRING and Cytoscape. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that key pathways, such as GPCR signaling, monoamine transport, and apoptosis, play critical roles in mediating EPH-induced neurotoxicity. Molecular docking simulations demonstrated that EPH binds with high affinity to several neurotoxic targets, including BCL2, CASP3, and MAPK1, with binding energies lower than −5 kJ/mol. Mechanistically, EPH induces neurotoxicity by modulating GPCR signaling, disrupting synaptic transmission, and activating apoptotic pathways, ultimately leading to neuronal damage. This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the molecular basis of EPH neurotoxicity, identifies key targets, and emphasizes the role of computational toxicology in environmental health risk assessments. • This study is the first to use transcriptomics and network toxicology to assess EPH neurotoxicity. • EPH neurotoxicity involves neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, cell death, and metabolism. • The key target genes for EPH-induced neurotoxicity are mainly BCL2, CASP3, TNF-β, and IL-1β. • EPH induces neurotransmitter imbalances, leading to cognitive and behavioral disorders.