Role of medicinal plants in mitigating environmental toxin effects: Protective and detoxification mechanisms

Articles in Press

Document Type : Reviewers

Authors

1 Department of Internal Medicine in Family Medicine, Tashkent State Medical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

2 Department of Transport Systems, Urgench State University named after Abu Raykhan Beruni, Urgench, Uzbekistan

3 Department of Labour Protection, Andijan State Technical Institute, Andijan, Uzbekistan

4 Institute of Energy Problems of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan

5 Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Ecology, National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent

6 Tashkent State Technical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

7 Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

8 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

9 Tashkent State Agrarian University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

10 Department of Faculty and Hospital Surgery of Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health, Fergana, Uzbekistan

10.22124/cjes.2025.9030

Abstract

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 (Silybum marianum), curcumin (Curcuma longa), catechins (Camellia sinensis), sulforaphane (Brassica spp.), allicin (Allium sativum), and resveratrol (Vitis vinifera)—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.

Keywords

References

Addissouky, TA, El Sayed, IET, Ali, MMA, Alubiady, MHS & Wang, Y 2024, Schisandra chinensis in liver disease: exploring the mechanisms and therapeutic promise of an ancient Chinese botanical. Archives of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 6(1): 27-33.
Alrekaby, FFM, Alkhatib, AJ, Abubakar, H & Shokri, S 2023, Evaluation of phytochemical properties and antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Ziziphus spina-christi, Satureja khuzistanica, and Salvia rosmarinus using FT-IR method. Journal of Biochemicals and Phytomedicine, 2(2): 47-53.
Amanpour, P, Eftekhari, Z, Eidi, A & Khodarahmi, P 2024, Ameliorative mechanism of dietary vitamin d and magnesium on newborn’s pulmonary toxicity induced by cadmium. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology: Organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS), 84: 127469.
Bahmani, M, Saki, K, Rafieian-Kopaei, M, Karamati, SA, Eftekhari, Z & Jelodari, M 2014, The most common herbal medicines affecting Sarcomastigophora branches: a review study. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 7: S14-S21, viewed <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S199576451460198X>.
Barzi, NV, Eftekhari, Z, Doroud, D & Eidi, A 2020, DNA methylation changes of apoptotic genes in organogenesis stage of mice embryos by maternal chlorpyrifos induction. Environmental Toxicology, 35: 794-803.
Bejenaru, LE, Biţă, A, Belu, I, Segneanu, A-E, Radu, A, Dumitru, A, Ciocîlteu, MV, Mogoşanu, GD & Bejenaru, C 2024, Resveratrol: A review on the biological activity and applications. Applied Sciences, 14(11): 4534.
van Berkel, SS & van Delft, FL 2018, Enzymatic strategies for (near) clinical development of antibody-drug conjugates. Drug Discovery Today. Technologies, 30: 3-10.
Campos, A & Vasconcelos, V 2010, Molecular mechanisms of microcystin toxicity in animal cells. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 11: 268–287.
Chen, J-G, Johnson, J, Egner, P, Ng, D, Zhu, J, Wang, J-B, Xue, X-F, Sun, Y, Zhang, Y-H, Lu, L-L, Chen, Y-S, Wu, Y, Zhu, Y-R, Carmella, S, Hecht, S, Jacobson, L, Muñoz, A, Kensler, K, Rule, A, Fahey, J, Kensler, T & Groopman, J 2019, Dose-dependent detoxication of the airborne pollutant benzene in a randomized trial of broccoli sprout beverage in Qidong, China.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 110: 675-684.
Chu, Y-H, Kao, S-W, Tantoh, DM, Ko, P-C, Lan, S-J & Liaw, Y-P 2019, Association between fine particulate matter and oral cancer among Taiwanese men. Journal of investigative Medicine: The Official Publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research, 67: 34-38.
Dang, L, Jin, Y, Yuan, Y, Shao, R & Wang, Y 2024, The king of Chinese medicine——Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): All-round inquiry in its chemical composition, pharmacodynamics, traditional and medicinal value. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, LWW, pp. 10–1097.
Dey, D, Chaskar, S, Bhatt, N & Chitre, D 2020, Hepatoprotective activity of BV‐7310, a proprietary herbal formulation of Phyllanthus niruri, Tephrosia purpurea, Boerhavia diffusa, and Andrographis paniculata, in alcohol‐induced HepG2 cells and alcohol plus a haloalkane, CCl4, induced liver damage in rats. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Wiley Online Library, 2020: 6428906.
Dosoky, NS & Setzer, WN 2018, Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils of curcuma species. Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 9, Switzerland.
Eftekhari, Z 2020, Garlic: A brief overview of its interaction with chemical drugs. Plant Biotechnology Persa, 2 (2): 31-32.
Gheibi, P, Eftekhari, Z, Doroud, D & Parivar, K 2020, Chlorpyrifos effects on integrin alpha v and beta 3 in implantation window phase. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27: 29530–29538.
Guarnotta, V, Amodei, R, Frasca, F, Aversa, A & Giordano, C 2022, Impact of chemical endocrine disruptors and hormone modulators on the endocrine system. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23 (10), Switzerland.
Haider, AA & Hussein, HZ 2022, Efficiency of biologically and locally manufactured silver nanoparticles from Aspergillus niger in preventing Aspergillus flavus to produce aflatoxin B1 on the stored maize grains. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, 20: 765-773, viewed <https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_5760.html>.
Hikisz, P & Jacenik, D 2023, The tobacco smoke component, acrolein, as a major culprit in lung diseases and respiratory cancers: molecular mechanisms of acrolein cytotoxic activity. Cells, 12: 879.
Islamova, ST, Nazarova, MA, Burkhanov, AU, Khamraev, F, Isagova, BU, Xamdamov, S, Nazarova, NS, Zubaydov, FF, Khursandova, DS & Badriddinov, OU 2025, Antibacterial and antioxidant effects of Punicalagin extracts from Punica granatum peels. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, 23: 579-586, viewed <https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/ article_8570.html>.
Jeon, HH, Yang, CY, Shin, MK, Wang, J, Patel, JH, Chung, CH & Graves, DT 2021, Osteoblast lineage cells and periodontal ligament fibroblasts regulate orthodontic tooth movement that is dependent on Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-kB) activation. The Angle orthodontist, 91: 664-671.
Jumagaliyeva, A, Tungushbayeva, Z, Raushan, D, Tashenova, G, Baigutty, A, Tatarinova, G & Batyrova, K 2025, Gonadoprotective potential of Taraxacum officinale on testicular tissue damage induced by cadmium chloride. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, 23: 595-603, viewed <https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_8910.html>.
Kandezi, N, Mohammadi, M, Ghaffari, M, Gholami, M, Motaghinejad, M & Safari, S 2020, Novel insight to neuroprotective potential of curcumin: A mechanistic review of possible involvement of mitochondrial biogenesis and PI3/Akt/ GSK3 or PI3/Akt/CREB/BDNF signaling pathways TT -ijmcmed, 9: 1-32, viewed <http://ijmcmed.org/ article-1-1245-en.html>.
Karaman, M, Firinci, F, Cilaker, S, Uysal, P, Tugyan, K, Yilmaz, O, Uzuner, N & Karaman, O 2012, Anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in a murine model of chronic asthma. Allergologia et Immunopathologia, 40: 210-214, viewed <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301054611002424>.
Khoi, C-S, Chen, J-H, Lin, T-Y, Chiang, C-K & Hung, K-Y 2021, Ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity: up-to-date evidence. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (20), Switzerland.
Kianoush, S, Balali‐Mood, M, Mousavi, SR, Moradi, V, Sadeghi, M, Dadpour, B, Rajabi, O & Shakeri, MT 2012, Comparison of therapeutic effects of garlic and d‐Penicillamine in patients with chronic occupational lead poisoning. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 110 (5): 476-481.
Kumar, R, Kumar, A, Bhardwaj, S, Sikarwar, M, Sriwastaw, S, Sharma, G & Gupta, M 2025, Nanotoxicity unveiled: Evaluating exposure risks and assessing the impact of nanoparticles on human health. Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals, 13: 100252, viewed <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773050625000436>.
Laurindo, LF, de Maio, MC, Minniti, G, de Góes Corrêa, N, Barbalho, SM, Quesada, K, Guiguer, EL, Sloan, KP, Detregiachi, CRP, Araújo, AC & de Alvares Goulart, R 2023, Effects of medicinal plants and phytochemicals in Nrf2 pathways during inflammatory bowel diseases and related colorectal cancer: A comprehensive review. Metabolites, 13 (2), Switzerland.
Li, L, Ma, P, Nirasawa, S & Liu, H 2024, Formation, immunomodulatory activities, and enhancement of glucosinolates and sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts: A review for maximizing the health benefits to human. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 64: 7118-7148.
Liew, KY, Hafiz, MF, Chong, YJ, Harith, HH, Israf, DA & Tham, CL 2020, A review of Malaysian herbal plants and their active constituents with potential therapeutic applications in sepsis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020: 8257817, viewed <https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8257817>.
Lin, S, Wang, X, Tang, RW-L, Lee, HC, Chan, HH, Choi, SSA, Dong, TT-X, Leung, KW, Webb, SE, Miller, AL & Tsim, KW-K 2022, The extracts of Polygonum cuspidatum root and rhizome block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and omicron pseudotyped viruses via inhibition of the S-protein and 3CL protease. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27 (12), Switzerland.
Mehrandish, R, Rahimian, A & Shahriary, A 2019, Heavy metals detoxification: A review of herbal compounds for chelation therapy in heavy metals toxicity. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology, 8: 69-77.
Miri, ZS, Bagheri, H, Amani, A & Karami, H 2025, Anti-tumor effects of curcumin and ABT-737 in combination therapy for glioblastoma in vivo. International Journal of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, 14 (1), viewed <http://ijmcmed.org/article-1-2480-en.html>.
Mohamed, ME, Younis, NS, El-Beltagi, HS & Mohafez, OM 2022, The synergistic hepatoprotective activity of rosemary essential oil and curcumin: The role of the MEK/ERK pathway. Molecules, 27 (24): 8910.
Mohammadi, Z, Pishkar, L, Eftekhari, Z, Barzin, G & Babaeekhou, L 2024, Evaluation of the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of cultivated Valeriana officinalis. Plant Science Today, 11: 145-155.
Nandekar, PP & Sangamwar, AT 2012, Cytochrome P450 1A1-mediated anticancer drug discovery: In silico findings. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, 7 (9): 771-789.
Noshadirad, E, Parivar, K, Motesaddi Zarandi, S, Mortazavi, P & Gorbani Yekta, B 2023, Gaseous pollutants and PM2.5 co-exposure induces BCL2/Bax apoptosis pathway activation in rat Sertoli cells: Implication of GATA4 and GATA6 interaction. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, pp. 1–7, viewed <https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/ article_7102.html>.
Pickova, D, Ostry, V, Toman, J & Malir, F 2020, Presence of mycotoxins in milk thistle (Silybum marianum) food supplements: A review. Toxins, 12 (12): 782.
Plaman, BA, Chan, WC & Bishop, AC 2019, Chemical activation of divergent protein tyrosine phosphatase domains with cyanine-based biarsenicals. Scientific Reports, 9: 16148.
Prud’homme, GJ, Kurt, M & Wang, Q 2022, Pathobiology of the klotho antiaging protein and therapeutic considerations. Frontiers in Aging, 3: 931331.
Rahimzadeh, Mehrdad Rafati, Rahimzadeh, Mehravar Rafati, Kazemi, S & Moghadamnia, A 2017, Cadmium toxicity and treatment: An update. Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine, 8: 135.
Ramezanifar, S, Beyrami, S, Mehrifar, Y, Ramezanifar, E, Soltanpour, Z, Namdari, M & Gharari, N 2023, Occupational exposure to physical and chemical risk factors: A systematic review of reproductive pathophysiological effects in women and men. Safety and Health at Work, 14: 17-30, viewed <https://www.sciencedirect.com/ science/article/pii/S2093791122001457>.
Safdarpour, S, Eftekhari, Z, Eidi, A & Doroud, D 2022, Encapsulated saponin by ferritin nanoparticles attenuates the murine pneumococcal pneumonia. Microbial Pathogenesis, 172: 105731.
Shakour, N, Cabezas, R, Santos, JG, Barreto, GE, Jamialahmadi, T, Hadizadeh, F & Sahebkar, A 2021, Curcumin can bind and interact with CRP: an in silico study. Pharmacological Properties of Plant-Derived Natural Products and Implications for Human Health, pp. 91–100.
Sharifnia, M, Eftekhari, Z & Mortazavi, P 2024, Niosomal hesperidin attenuates the M1/M2-macrophage polarization-based hepatotoxicity followed chlorpyrifos-induced toxicities in mice. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 198: 105724.
Sharifnia, M, Eftekhari, Z & Mortazavi, P 2023, Niosomal hesperidin attenuates the M1/M2-macrophage polarization-based hepatotoxicity followed chlorpyrifos-induced toxicities in mice. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, p. 105724.
Shen, X & Yin, F 2021, The mechanisms and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine Lianhua-Qingwen capsule. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie, 142: 111998.
Sun, J, Yu, J, Niu, Xinyi, Zhang, X, Zhou, L, Liu, X, Zhang, B, He, K, Niu, Xiaofeng & Ho, KF 2023, Solid fuel derived PM2. 5 induced oxidative stress and according cytotoxicity in A549 cells: The evidence and potential neutralization by green tea. Environment International, 171: 107674.
Tanaka, KI, Nakaguchi, S, Shiota, S, Nakada, Y, Oyama, K, Sakakibara, O, Shimoda, M, Sugimoto, A, Ichitani, M & Takihara, T 2022, Preventive effect of epigallocatechin gallate, the main component of green tea, on acute lung injury caused by air pollutants. Biomolecules, 12 (9): 1196.
Thangavel, P, Park, D & Lee, Y-C 2022, Recent insights into particulate matter (PM2.5)-mediated toxicity in humans: An overview. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (12), Switzerland.
Vahabi Barzi, N, Eftekhari, Z, Doroud, D & Eidi, A 2022, Maternal exposure during organogenesis to chlorpyrifos insecticide induce apoptosis process. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine: The Official Journal of The European Association of Perinatal Medicine, The Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, The International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians, 35 (20): 3845-3852.
Valková, V, Ďúranová, H, Bilčíková, J & Habán, M 2020, Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): A valuable medicinal plant with several therapeutic purposes. The Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 9 (4): 836.
Widoyo, H, Mohammed, ZY, Ramírez-Coronel, AA, Iswanto, AH, Thattarauthodiyil, U, S Alkhayyat, A, Karimi, M, Bahmani, M & Eftekhari, Z 2022, Herbal therapy in Covid-19: A systematic review of medicinal plants effective against Covid-19. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, pp. 1-10.
Yu, J, Hennessy, DA, Tack, J & Wu, F 2022, Climate change will increase aflatoxin presence in US Corn. Environmental Research Letters, vol. 17, no. 5.
Zeng, Y, Luo, Y, Wang, L, Zhang, K, Peng, J & Fan, G 2023, Therapeutic Effect of Curcumin on Metabolic Diseases: Evidence from Clinical Studies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (4), Switzerland.
Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 04 September 2025

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics