Interplay of medicinal plants, toxicants, and chronic diseases: An integrative review

Articles in Press

Document Type : Reviewers

Authors

1 Department of Orthopedic Dentistry and Orthodontics of the Bukhara State Medical Institute, 23, Gijduvanskaya Str, Bukhara City, 200118, Uzbekistan

2 Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences, Associate Professor, Bukhara State University, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

3 Department of Plant Quarantine and Protection, Andijan Institute of Agriculture and Agrotechnologies, Andijan, Uzbekistan

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

5 Department of Propedeutics of Internal Diseases No. 2 of Tashkent State Medical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

6 Department of Neurology, Faculty of Postgraduate Education, Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

7 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Andijan State Technical Institute, Andijan, Uzbekistan

8 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Andijan State University

9 Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers" National Research University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

10 Department of Life Safety, Faculty of Geology, Exploration and Mining, Tashkent State Technical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

10.22124/cjes.2025.9043

Abstract

Chronic diseases result from complex interactions among genetic factors, environmental toxins like metals and air pollutants, lifestyle choices, and our overall exposure. At the same time, medicinal plants and their active components have various effects that may counteract or sometimes worsen these toxin-related processes. Many phytochemicals influence oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolism of foreign substances, hormonal signaling, genetic programming, mitochondrial function, and the gut-microbiome-liver connection—all of which can be disrupted by toxins. The most substantial evidence suggests that polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and sulfur compounds, such as curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, berberine, silymarin, EGCG, and sulforaphane, are effective, although their clinical applications vary. These interactions can include benefits such as activating Nrf2, chelating metals, and reshaping the microbiome, as well as risks including inhibiting CYP/P-gp, producing oxidative effects at high doses, and contamination. Plant-based interventions show potential for countering the harmful effects of toxins in chronic conditions like heart disease, liver disease, kidney issues, neurodegenerative disorders, immune problems, and cancer. Future research should focus on trials that consider exposure, validated biomarkers, and integrated methods that connect exposomics and pharmacology.

Keywords

References

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