Cellular mechanisms of the cytotoxic effects of the zearalenone metabolites α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol on RAW264.7 macrophages

► This study examined cytotoxic mechanisms of zearalenone metabolites, α-ZOL and β-ZOL. ► β-ZOL induced cell death mainly by apoptosis rather than necrosis. ► β-ZOL caused mitochondrial-mediated and caspase-independent cell death. ► β-ZOL led to the activation of p53 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase-mediated signaling. ► Oxidative stress and AIF relocation was also involved in β-ZOL-mediated cytotoxicity.