University of Guilan Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences 1735-3033 24 3 2026 07 01 Role of medicinal plants in mitigating environmental toxin effects: Protective and detoxification mechanisms 935 948 9030 10.22124/cjes.2025.9030 EN Rustam Turakulov Department of Internal Medicine in Family Medicine, Tashkent State Medical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Islom Kadirov Department of Transport Systems, Urgench State University named after Abu Raykhan Beruni, Urgench, Uzbekistan Abdurashid Abdurakhmonov Department of Labour Protection, Andijan State Technical Institute, Andijan, Uzbekistan Abdulatif Shavazov Institute of Energy Problems of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan Durdona Alikarieva Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Ecology, National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent Nodirakhan Nishanova Tashkent State Technical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Dildora Islamova Tashkent State Technical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Guzal Akmalova Tashkent State Technical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Dilnoza Khafizova Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Bukhara, Uzbekistan Nigora Dustova Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Bukhara, Uzbekistan Kenjabek Rozumbetov Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Food Safety, Nukus Branch of Samarkand State University of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Husbandry and Biotechnology, 230100 Nukus, Uzbekistan; & Department of General Biology and Physiology, Karakalpak State University, 230100 Nukus, Uzbekistan Saydali Turdiev Tashkent State Agrarian University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Arsen Abdulhakimov Department of Faculty and Hospital Surgery of Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health, Fergana, Uzbekistan Journal Article 2025 09 04 Environmental toxins—including heavy metals, organic pollutants, mycotoxins, and airborne toxicants—pose significant threats to human health by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genomic damage. Current detoxification strategies are limited in efficacy and safety, creating demand for complementary approaches. This review summarizes the protective and detoxification mechanisms of medicinal plants against environmental toxins, with emphasis on molecular pathways and translational evidence. We examined experimental and clinical studies addressing the role of medicinal plants in mitigating toxin-induced damage, focusing on antioxidant activity, xenobiotic metabolism, chelation, and anti-inflammatory effects. Key phytochemicals—including silymarin (<em>Silybum marianum</em>), curcumin (<em>Curcuma longa</em>), catechins (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>), sulforaphane (Brassica spp.), allicin (<em>Allium sativum</em>), and resveratrol (<em>Vitis vinifera</em>)—exert protective effects via multiple mechanisms: Activation of Nrf2–ARE signaling and induction of detoxification enzymes, Chelation of toxic metals (lead, cadmium, mercury), Suppression of NF-κB–mediated inflammation, Stabilization of mitochondria and cell membranes, and Support of glutathione metabolism. Several plants, such as broccoli sprouts and garlic, show measurable benefits in human trials (e.g., increased excretion of benzene metabolites, reduced lead burden). However, limitations include variability in phytochemical content, poor bioavailability (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol), and potential herb–drug interactions. Medicinal plants offer promising, multi-targeted strategies for mitigating the adverse health effects of environmental toxins. While robust preclinical evidence supports their use, large-scale, standardized clinical trials are essential to validate efficacy, optimize dosing, and ensure safety. Integration of phytomedicine with modern detoxification strategies may provide a sustainable approach to environmental health challenges. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9030_038648c61b2f842d799fcb5ca243ff3b.pdf